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Policing Matters Podcast: Unintended consequences of California’s Prop 47

Proposition 47 downgraded a variety of crimes — such as burglary, shoplifting, and grand theft — from felonies to misdemeanors

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In 2014, California voters overwhelmingly (59 percent to 41 percent) passed Proposition 47, a law that downgraded a variety of crimes — such as burglary, shoplifting, and grand theft — from felonies to misdemeanors. If the value of the stolen property is under $950, the perpetrator will likely receive no penalty, creating a “green light” for bicycle thieves. “A thief may now steal something under that limit on a daily basis and it will never rise to felony status,” said the National Review in early 2018.

In this podcast segment, Jim and Doug are joined by special guest Vallejo Police Lieutenant Jason Potts in a discussion of the unintended consequences for citizens and police created by the law.

Policing Matters law enforcement podcast with host Jim Dudley features law enforcement and criminal justice experts discussing critical issues in policing