The increase in violent crimes in California has alarmed both policymakers and residents. Unfortunately, 2021 saw an increase of 6.7% in violent crimes, including a 9.1% rise in homicides and an 8.6% jump in rapes from the previous year. Despite the fact that many progressives advocate for criminal justice reform, it is increasingly obvious that some steps must be done to limit crime. Because of this, state GOP lawmakers have introduced a new measure that would toughen the penalties for sexual assault and human trafficking. Sadly, a prominent Democrat stopped that attempt, which has many people concerned about what may happen next.
Chairman of the Committee Against Bill Increasing Penalties for Some Crimes
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Reggie Jones-Sawyer, the chair of the Assembly, valiantly defended justice in March by endorsing AB229. This legislation would categorize horrendous crimes including human trafficking, domestic abuse, and some sex offenses as violent crimes. Under this change, third-time criminals would be guaranteed a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison for their heinous crimes. It’s time to prosecute the worst offenders and safeguard the populations most at risk from these crimes. It is very admirable that Jones-Sawyer has such a strong commitment to public safety.
Although the proposal received partial support from a couple of Republicans, it unfortunately did not make it out of the committee and into the hands of the larger legislative body. While the path may have been thwarted, there is still hope that alternative solutions can be presented and given the chance to flourish. These setbacks are just temporary, as the power of perseverance and determination can push a proposal from mere idea to actual change.
To Fox News, Jones-Sawyer defends his position
Jones-Sawyer stated his disapproval of the proposed legislation in a statement to Fox News Digital, calling it a “broad recategorizing [of] non-violent crimes, and even misdemeanors.” He advised against it since it would “revive a version of the three-strikes mentality of mass incarceration” that he believes is “a failed policy.”
The prominent California Democrat’s silence on the critical connection between domestic abuse and such tragedies has drawn attention during conversations on how to stop mass shootings. While Republicans have been advocating for stricter punishment for offenders with a history of domestic violence, the lack of action on this front is concerning to many. Implementing preventive measures to keep these criminals off the streets may be the key to reducing the frequency of deadly mass shootings.
Residents request that Democrats reconsider the bill.
At the San Francisco Chronicle, astute writer Emily Hoeven made a perceptive remark that revealed a lesser-known law that had had Democratic backing.
She emphasized the hypocrisy of the progressive movement in refusing to support legislation that would increase the punishment for violent sex offenses but being prepared to lengthen the prison term for those who stole products worth more than $275,000. Hoeven highlighted that the party aiming to change the criminal justice system must “be consistent” and “allow a wider swath of ideas to be robustly debated.” She blasted the Left for distributing “a clear message that bills are judged not by their content but by their author — and that some types of victims matter more than others.”
Even Democratic Assemblywoman Liz Ortega said the issue, where lawmakers are saying, according to Hoeven. “yes to some and no to others,” could cause “a very slippery slope.”
