Law enforcement officers across California have been actively fighting retail theft, and on Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the successes of the state's public safety plan.
Last September, $267 million in grants were awarded to law enforcement agencies throughout the state with the purpose of helping them fight retail theft.
Now, a year later, Governor Newsom said it's been successful with 10,138 arrests. This comes just two months after he signed a package of bills to address organized retail theft, supported by the California Retailer's Association. The governor also added this was about much more than just combating retail theft.
"Getting guns off the street. This is about getting illegal cars back in the possession of the rightful owners. This is about sideshows, which they've been cracking down on," Gov. Newsom said.
Republican State Senator Roger Niello said while these efforts are commendable, the results still don't say it's been a success.
Niello believes Proposition 36 would help district attorneys prosecute those responsible for crimes like retail theft. Newsom opposes the measure.
