By Kristina Davis
UT San Diego
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Police Chief Bill Lansdowne is backing a statewide effort to reduce most nonviolent crimes, including drug possession for personal use and petty theft, from felonies to misdemeanors, an idea that will undoubtedly face opposition in some circles.
Lansdowne, who is working with San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón to try to qualify the measure for the November ballot, said it would reduce prison populations and shift up to $250 millon per year to treatment and education programs.
“We’re putting people in prison for long terms for personal possession of drugs because they have an addiction or mental health problem. That needs to be fixed,” Lansdowne said Thursday.
Full Story: Police chief seeks change in drug law