“This is Orange County, declared the alleged thief. The new legislation in question is Proposition 36 – a ballot measure that came into effect on Wednesday, overturning lenient policies that restricted law enforcement’s ability to address minor offenses such as shoplifting.
Previously, a law enacted in 2014 stipulated that thieves could only face misdemeanor charges if the value of the stolen goods was under $950. The aftermath of this law change saw a rise in shoplifting incidents across California.
In a recent case, three suspects reportedly filled their bags with merchandise amounting to hundreds of dollars, as detailed by the Seal Beach Police Department.
The surge in retail theft coincided with mounting public concern and pressure on lawmakers to take action. Subsequently, nearly 70% of voters supported Proposition 36.
Seal Beach Police Department emphasized their stance against the ‘cite and release’ program, affirming their dedication to combating Organized Retail Theft in light of the new proposition. Their message was underscored in a video caption featuring Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots are Made for Walkin,” urging individuals to refrain from stealing in Seal Beach.”
