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.

Published

7 months ago

September 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Gov. Gavin Newsom signs a bill enforcing tougher criminal penalties targeting property crimes in August. Photo Courtesy of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.

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.