Sacramento, CA (KABC) — Several new bills aimed at cracking down on crime in California were unveiled Monday.
The new bill targets suspects involved in crimes statewide, including theft and violent shootings. Videos of people committing crimes have surfaced on social media many times this year, and politicians said the videos were proof that crime was on the rise.
“There is no denying that crime is out of control in California,” said James Gallagher, who represents the 3rd congressional district in the northern Sacramento Valley. “Violent assaults are on the rise, as well as petty thefts and retail thefts.”
At a press conference in Sacramento on Monday, a group of Republicans and law enforcement officials, including several from Southern California, unveiled the bill.
One would raise penalties for serial thieves, and the other would restore a minimum 20-year prison term for those convicted of using firearms in violent crimes.
“Elected leaders are more interested in releasing criminals than protecting victims,” Rep. Bill Esayri said. “This is wrong. It is unethical and, frankly, immoral.”
The elected leader pointed to recent mass shootings across the state and also noted the recent killings of two Riverside County sheriff’s deputies.
“Our Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has not died on the job in 20 years and then lost two sheriffs in the next two weeks. This is unacceptable,” Essayli said. says.
Eyewitness News used the ABC7 Neighborhood Safety Tracker to dig into State Department of Justice data for five counties within the viewing area.
Overall, violent crime increased by only about 2% between 2017 and 2021. Homicide rates skyrocketed, jumping about 40% over the same period.
“Crime is out of control in California, and we are working with law enforcement representatives to ensure that everyone is safe in their community, no matter where they live or who they are,” Gallagher said. I’m here to send a simple message that you deserve to feel.
The future of this Republican-sponsored law is uncertain, as Democrats hold overwhelming majorities in both houses of the state legislature.
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