California Black Media
New California Law Enforces Tougher Penalties for Retail and Property Crime
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill enforcing tougher criminal penalties targeting large-scale theft crimes and smash-and-grab robberies to help law prosecutors hold criminals accountable. On Sept. 12, Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1960, a law authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) that creates steeper felony penalties for retail and property crime.
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill enforcing tougher criminal penalties targeting large-scale theft crimes and smash-and-grab robberies to help law prosecutors hold criminals accountable.
On Sept. 12, Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1960, a law authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) that creates steeper felony penalties for retail and property crime. Under the law, the courts are mandated to impose an enhanced sentence when suspects take, damage, or destroy property valued over $50,000 during the commission of any felony, including retail theft. Similar sentences will apply to people who knowingly receive stolen property or resell such property, targeting large-scale criminal operations.
“California already has some of the strictest retail and property crime laws in the nation — and we have made them even stronger with our recent legislation,” said Newsom. “We can be tough on crime while also being smart on crime — we don’t need to go back to broken policies of the last century.”
“Mass incarceration has been proven ineffective and is not the answer – we need true accountability and strategies that enhance our nation-leading efforts to address crime. I thank Speaker Rivas for his leadership in strengthening law enforcement tools in California,” Newsom said.
After signing the new bill, Gov. Newsom announced that the state’s $267 million investment in local law enforcement has produced strong results in tackling organized criminal activity. According to state data, law enforcement agencies arrested more than 6,900 suspects for retail and property crimes statewide.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024
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Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024
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Black History
California Leaders Pay Tribute to Quincy Jones
On Nov. 4, the celebrated life of music producer Quincy Delight Jones came to an end at his home in Bel Air. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Jones leaves behind a rich legacy of music and achievements that spans 70 plus years. His impact on multiple genres of music as well as his contributions to art and education will have a lasting impact.
By Reginald S. Webb Jr.
California Black Media
On Nov. 4, the celebrated life of music producer Quincy Delight Jones came to an end at his home in Bel Air.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Jones leaves behind a rich legacy of music and achievements that spans 70 plus years. His impact on multiple genres of music as well as his contributions to art and education will have a lasting impact.
“Quincy Jones brought the world endless joy with his optimistic spirit and colossal imagination. Not a day goes by without hearing a masterpiece that Quincy produced or hearing about the good he created with his generous heart,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Jen and I — and all of California — mourn the loss of this great humanitarian and artist.”
Jones was born on March 14, 1933, in Chicago. By 10 years old, Jones’s family relocated to Bremerton, Washington where he met his first formal music mentor, Robert Blackwell, a well-known arranger, bandleader, song writer, and producer. He was a vital part of Quincy’s growth as a musician.
In 1951, Jones earned a scholarship to study music at Seattle University. After a semester there, he transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston. His stay at this college was short-lived because he left to tour with the jazz percussionist and bandleader Lionel Hampton.
“I’m deeply saddened to learn of Quincy Jones’ passing. His talent and resilience led him to not only break barriers but become one of the most successful producers of all time, touching countless lives through music,” said Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager (D-CA-37). “We’ll miss my fellow Chicagoan-turned-Angeleno.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Jones “broke barriers in an industry that had long worked to exclude artists that looked like him.”
“Quincy Jones brought laughter, celebration, happiness and joy into the homes of millions. As a musician, composer, producer, and arranger, he changed our culture, and he changed our world,” added Bass.
Film scoring led to another trailblazing moment for Quincy Jones. He became the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for best original film score in 1967 for In Cold Blood. The same year he was also nominated for best original song for, The Eyes of Love, from a film titled Banning.
“He was unmatched in the creativity of his many productions. I will never forget how he worked with me to present Nelson Mandela, where 90 thousand people showed up at the Los Angeles Coliseum following his release from prison in South Africa. Quincy Jones will never be forgotten,” remembers Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43).
Over his career, Jones received 80 Grammy nominations and won 28 of them. He released 16 studio jazz albums, 24 soundtracks albums, three live albums, and four compilation albums.
1n 2011, President Barack Obama honored Jones with the National Medal of Arts.
Jones is survived by his seven children and six grandchildren.
“Jones has provided a soundtrack to the best moments of so many lives – and to the deepest movements of change in this country. Our city is forever bettered by his gifts. We celebrate his life, and we mourn this loss,” Bass paid tribute to Jones.
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