California Clampdown on Retail Theft, Drug Crimes Wins Backing of Over 70 Mayors
- More local Democrats buck Newsom in supporting Proposition 36
- Measure on November ballot targets retail theft, drug offenses
Products are locked behind glass as a person shops at a store.
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A California ballot measure to crack down on store theft and drug crimes is heading to the polls with support from big retailers, law enforcement groups, a crypto billionaire — and now, more than 70 mayors.
Representing cities from Beverly Hills to Fresno, the mostly Democratic or non-partisan mayors bucked Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom by throwing their support behind Proposition 36, which will go before voters in November. The initiative would roll back a landmark criminal justice law from a decade ago, stiffen penalties and force drug users into treatment to avoid prison time.