State of California Archives: on Crime

Adam Gray: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Assembly Bill 2524 will convert Crime in California and other annual reports published by the California Department of Justice into digital data sets that will be published on the Attorney General's OpenJustice Web portal. These reports provide statistical summaries including numbers of arrests, complaints against peace officers, hate crime offenses, and law enforcement officers killed or assaulted. The OpenJustice Web portal will transform the way this information is presented to the public with interactive, accessible visualization tools, while making raw data available for public interest researchers.

Legislative Outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; State Rep. Adam Gray voted YES;Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 30, 2016

Kevin Mullin: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative Outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; State Rep. Kevin Mullin voted YES; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 30, 2016

Sydney Kamlager: Cut administrative fees on people in criminal justice system

Legislative Summary: AB1869: Ends the harmful and costly collection of 23 administrative fees imposed against people in the criminal system. By eliminating these fees, California will dramatically reduce the suffering caused by court- ordered debt and enhance the economic security and wellness of populations with system involvement.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 59-17-3 on 8/31; passed Senate 30-7-3 on 8/31; Kamlager voted YES; Signed by Gov. Newsom on 9/18/20

Source: California Legislative voting record AB1869 Aug 31, 2020

Adam Gray: Cut administrative fees on people in criminal justice system

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 59-17-3 on 8/31; Rep. Gray voted YES; passed Senate 30-7-3 on 8/31; Signed by Gov. Newsom on 9/18/20

Source: California Legislative voting record AB1869 Aug 31, 2020

Kevin Mullin: Cut administrative fees on people in criminal justice system

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 59-17-3 on 8/31; Rep. Mullin voted YES; passed Senate 30-7-3 on 8/31; Signed by Gov. Newsom on 9/18/20

Source: California Legislative voting record AB1869 Aug 31, 2020

Kevin Kiley: Cut administrative fees on people in criminal justice system

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 59-17-3 on 8/31; Rep. Kiley voted YES; passed Senate 30-7-3 on 8/31; Signed by Gov. Newsom on 9/18/20

Source: California Legislative voting record AB1869 Aug 31, 2020

Antonio Villaraigosa: Reduced violent crime by 50%; increased size of LAPD

To mark his time as mayor, his staff put together a 60-page book, titled "Straight from the Heart of L.A." that details his accomplishments over the past eight years. Among the accomplishments:

reducing violent crime by 50%
reducing gang crime by 43%
expanding the LAPD to 10,000 officers.

Source: Huffington Post on 2014 California Governor race Jun 23, 2013

Arnold Schwarzenegger: Allow private prisons to compete, to spend less on prisons

The priorities have become out of whack over the years. 30 years ago 10% of the general fund went to higher education and 3% went to prisons. Today, almost 11% goes to prisons and only 7.5% goes to higher education.

Spending 45% more on prisons than universities is no way to proceed into the future. What does it say about our state? It simply is not healthy. So I will submit to you a constitutional amendment so that never again do we spend a greater percentage of our money on prisons than on higher education.

And the way we get this done is to find more cost-effective ways to run our prison system and allows private prisons to compete with public prisons. Competition and choice are always good. I mean, California spends $50,000 per prisoner. The ten largest states spend $32,000 only.

If California's prisons were privately run, it would save us billions of dollars a year. That's billions of dollars that could go back into higher education where it belongs and where it better serves our future.

Source: California 2010 State of the State Address Jan 6, 2010

Bill Jones: Three Strikes is a worthy criminal justice reform

As the author of California’s famed “3 Strikes” law, Jones helped lead the criminal justice reforms that today are proving their worth in declining rates of crime. He is the only Republican running that has developed a comprehensive homeland defense plan that integrates local, state and federal resources. Source: 2004 Senate campaign website JonesForCalifornia.com “Issues” May 2, 2004

Brian Dahle: Rights of criminals shouldn't come before rights of victims

The ISSUE: Many of the most serious crimes, particularly murder, have spiked. Retail thefts, carjackings, and home invasions dominate the news and put our families in danger.
The TRUTH: The primary function of government is public safety. The rights of criminals shouldn't come before those of the victims.
The PLAN: We need to rethink and work to repeal the recent efforts to decriminalize thefts and reclassify many felonies and violent felonies.

Source: 2022 California Governor campaign website BrianDahle.com Feb 21, 2022

Brian Dahle: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Brian Dahle Yes; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 30, 2018

Caitlyn Jenner: Rehabilitate people in prison and bring them back safely

Q: What is the police reform that you want?

JENNER: The only police reform, I think we need -- look it, in every business out there, there's good people, and there's bad people who probably shouldn't be there. I think proper training, being able to weed out the good with the bad. I am 100% behind our police force. Every place I go, if I'm driving, and I see a cop, I'll put my hand out the window and give them a thumbs up. If they're sitting there, I'll pull up and say, hey, thank you for your service. You know, this citizen appreciates what you do. I 100% support our police forces. I would be very tough on rioting, using as many forces as I could possibly use to stop the rioting and protect the citizens and the businesses of this community. I think that's extremely important -- the National Guard, whatever we need to keep peace.

Source: Fox News interview: 2021 California Governor recall race May 6, 2021

Caitlyn Jenner: I would use as many forces as I could to stop rioting

Q: Gavin Newsom is going to release 76,000 inmates for good behavior, 63,000 of them committed violent crimes. Would you do that?

JENNER: Not at all. I think on the releasing of the prisoners, criminal justice reform is very important, and we need to do that, OK? We need to rehabilitate people in prison and bring them back into the community safely. In his case, I don't know how many of these people have actually been rehabilitated to go back into society.

Source: Fox News interview: 2021 California Governor recall race May 6, 2021

Caitlyn Jenner: I am in favor of the death penalty

Jenner praised her children and their entrepreneurial talents but said her family would not play a role in her gubernatorial campaign. She noted that she differs from her stepdaughter Kim Kardashian on halting the death penalty. "I am in favor of the death penalty," she said. Source: CNN Politics on 2021 California Governor recall race May 12, 2021

Christy Smith: Cut administrative fees on people in criminal justice system

Legislative Outcome:Passed Assembly 59-17-3 on 8/31; passed Senate 30-7-3 on 8/31; Sen. Smith voted YES; Signed by Gov. Newsom on 9/18/20

Source: California Legislative voting record AB1869 Aug 31, 2020

Connie Conway: Don't eliminate "gay panic" tactic for criminal defendants

Legislative Counsel's Digest:A "gay panic" or "trans panic" defense allows a criminal defendant to claim that the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity provoked them to violence. This outrageous tactic sends the message that violence against members of the LGBT community is understandable or acceptable. These defense tactics also hurt survivors and loved ones of victims by asking the jury to find that the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity excuses the defendant's actions. AB 2501, the first bill of its kind in the nation, eliminates "gay panic" and "trans panic" as a tactic for criminal defendants, ensuring that attacks on members of the LGBT community can be seen for what they are.

Legislative Outcome:ÿ8/26/14: Passed Senate, 25-9-6; 8/27/14: Passed Assembly, 58-15-6; Rep. Connie Conway voted NAY; signed by Governor Brown

Source: California legislative voting records AB2501 Aug 27, 2014

David Hadley: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 30, 2016

Delaine Eastin: Manage crime with improved education

Eastin also presented her views on managing crime through an increased concentration on education. She made her case with talking points including kids having access to preschool, mandatory kindergarten and strategies that she claims led to increased attendance, graduation and no suspensions in four years. "If we did a better job with education, we could break the school to prison Source: Turlock Journal on 2018 California gubernatorial race Nov 17, 2017

Dick Mountjoy: No visitation for sex offenders with kids or grandkids

BILL NUMBER: AB 2893 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Mountjoy: Sex offenders: child custody and visitation. Existing law requires a person convicted of certain sex offenses to register with the local law enforcement officer of the city or county where he or she resides. Existing law prohibits a person from being granted physical or legal custody of, or unsupervised visitation with, a child if the person is required to register as a sex offender and the victim was a minor or the person has committed another specified crime against a child, unless the court finds that there is no significant risk to the child and states its reasons in writing or on the record. This bill would prohibit a person from being granted physical or legal custody of, or unsupervised visitation with, his or her children or grandchildren if the person is required to be registered as a sex offender and the victim was the person’s child or grandchild. Source: California Legislative records, AB 2893 Dec 24, 2005

Donald Trump: Think of the VICTIMS and keep the death penalty

A "yes" vote supported repealing the death penalty and making life without the possibility of parole the maximum punishment for murder.
A "no" vote opposed this measure repealing the death penalty.
On March 13, 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order placing a moratorium on the death penalty. He said, "The intentional killing of another person is wrong and as Governor, I will not oversee the execution of any individual. Our death penalty system has been, by all measures, a failure. It has provided no value as a deterrent."
President Donald Trump (R) responded to Gov. Newsom's executive order, saying, "Defying voters, the Governor of California will halt all death penalty executions of 737 stone cold killers. Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!"

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Jul 2, 2019

Doug Ose: Everywhere I see uncontrolled homelessness & nagging crime

Republican Doug Ose, a politically moderate former congressman from the Sacramento region who last year became one of President Donald Trump's most vociferous surrogates in California, opened a committee to run for governor. "Simply put, I'm running to rebuild the California dream." he said. "I'll work with anyone to make that happen."

Ose characterized his approach as that of a straight-talker who won't sugarcoat the state's shortfalls or tailor his positions to fit the whims of powerful interests like unions, which he views as captors of the dominant Democratic Party and defenders of an unacceptable status quo.

Everywhere he looks he sees uncontrolled homelessness and nagging crime. "It's fascinating that those in office don't see all of the problems. You can't help but see them. I mean, come on. Just drive through any urban area," Ose said. "Unless you are one of these bazillionaires, California is broken."

Source: Sacramento Bee on 2018 California gubernatorial race Jan 5, 2018

Gavin Newsom: Criminal justice reform is crucial; repeal death penalty

At a forum organized by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, which pushes back against tough-on-crime laws, Newsom, the lone statewide politician to endorse Proposition 47 in 2014, which made nonviolent offenses like drug and property crimes misdemeanors instead of felonies, implored them to keep it up. "We'll get there on (repealing) the death penalty," Newsom said. Source: The Sacramento Bee on 2018 California gubernatorial race Apr 4, 2017

Gavin Newsom: Death penalty is ineffective, irreversible and immoral

Gov. Gavin Newsom put a moratorium on the death penalty in California Wednesday, sparing the lives of more than 700 death-row inmates. Saying the death penalty is "ineffective, irreversible and immoral," he signed an executive order granting reprieves to all 737 Californians awaiting executions--a quarter of the country's death row inmates.

His action comes three years after California voters rejected an initiative to end the death penalty, instead passing a measure to speed up executions. Newsom said the death penalty system has discriminated against mentally ill defendants and people of color, has not made the state safer and has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. "You, as taxpayers--you have spent $5 billion since we reinstated the death penalty in this state," he said. "What have we gotten for that?"

But he made clear that he simply believes killing other people is wrong. "If you rape, we don't rape," he said. "I think if someone kills, we don't kill.

Source: Modesto Bee on 2018 California Gubernatorial race Mar 12, 2019

Gavin Newsom: 2016: Respect state referendum on death penalty; 2019: Don't

Newsom has long opposed the death penalty. While campaigning for a measure to repeal the death penalty in 2016, he told The Modesto Bee editorial board he would "be accountable to the will of the voters," if he were elected governor. "I would not get my personal opinions in the way of the public's right to make a determination of where they want to take us" on the death penalty, he said.

Newsom said that before he took office, discussing the death penalty was an "intellectual" exercise. Now that he has the power to allow executions, he said, it's an emotional decision: he can't be party to the system and still sleep at night. "It's not an abstract question any longer," he said. "I cannot sign off on executing hundreds of human beings."

The moratorium will be in place for the duration of Newsom's time in office. After that, a future governor could decide to resume executions. He told reporters last month that the prospect of executions resuming has been weighing on him.

Source: Modesto Bee on 2018 California Gubernatorial race Mar 12, 2019

Gavin Newsom: Moratorium on the California death penalty

A "yes" vote supported repealing the death penalty and making life without the possibility of parole the maximum punishment for murder.
A "no" vote opposed this measure repealing the death penalty.
On March 13, 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order placing a moratorium on the death penalty. He said, "The intentional killing of another person is wrong and as Governor, I will not oversee the execution of any individual. Our death penalty system has been, by all measures, a failure. It has discriminated against defendants who are mentally ill, black and brown, or can't afford expensive legal representation. It has provided no public safety benefit or value as a deterrent. It has wasted billions of taxpayer dollars. Most of all, the death penalty is absolute. It's irreversible and irreparable in the event of human error."

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Mar 13, 2019

Gavin Newsom: Spared 737 people on California's death row

As the most populous state and the country's biggest economy, Newsom's actions carry outsize weight--and are guaranteed outsize publicity.

Consider the national attention it garnered when Newsom signed an executive order in March halting executions-- sparing 737 people on California's death row. Witness the proclamation his office wrote last month "welcoming women to California to fully exercise their reproductive rights" after a wave of conservative states took steps to limit abortion. Newsom is outspoken on immigration, traveling to El Salvador earlier this year in his first international trip as governor.

"We're going to get it,'' Newsom insists. "We're committed to universal health care. Universal health care means everybody--We will lead a massive expansion of health care, and that's a major deviation from the past.''

Source: Politico.com on 2018 California Gubernatorial race Jun 17, 2019

Gavin Newsom: Bolster police, more prosecutors, get guns off the street

Bolstering law enforcement and local response to stop and apprehend criminals.
More prosecutors to hold perpetrators accountable.
Getting guns and drugs off our streets--creating a new statewide gun buyback program, holding the gun industry accountable with nation-leading legislation, and intercepting drugs at the border.

Source: 2022 State of the State Address to California legislature Feb 10, 2022

Gavin Newsom: Cut administrative fees on people in criminal justice system

Legislative Outcome:Passed Assembly 59-17-3 on Aug/31/20; passed Senate 30-7-3 on Aug/31/20; Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Sep/18/20

Source: California Legislative voting record AB1869 Sep 18, 2020

Gloria La Riva: Opposes capital punishment; shut down most prisons

Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?

No.

Q: Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related training and job-placement assistance when released?

Yes.

Q: Do you support programs that provide prison inmates with substance abuse treatment?

Yes.

Q: Do you support reduced prison sentences for non-violent offenders?

Yes.

Q: Do you support mandatory prison sentences for selling illegal drugs?

No.

La Riva adds, "The U.S. alone has 25% of the world's prison population. Most prisons should be shut down and replaced with community justice programs."

Source: California Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

Jared Huffman: Life-without-parole instead of capital punishment

Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?

A: No. I believe life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) should replace the failed, flawed and hugely expensive policy of capital punishment. In California, capital punishment has had the unintended effect of allowing heinous murderers to live out their natural lives in a more comfortable and secure prison setting than if they had received the sentence of LWOP, while driving up the costs of incarceration.

Source: California Congressional 2012 Political Courage Test Oct 30, 2012

Jay Obernolte: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 30, 2016

Jay Obernolte: Keep administrative fees in criminal justice system

Legislative Outcome:Passed Assembly 59-17-3 on 8/31; passed Senate 30-7-3 on 8/31; Sen. Obernolte voted NO; signed by Gov. Newsom 9/18/20

Source: California Legislative voting record AB1869 Aug 31, 2020

Jerry Brown: Curb prison spending through an historic realignment

You, the California legislature, did it. You cast difficult votes to cut billions from the state budget. You curbed prison spending through an historic realignment and you reformed and reduced the state's long term pension liabilities. Then, the citizens of California, using their inherent political power under the Constitution, finished the task. They embraced the new taxes of Proposition 30 by a healthy margin of 55% to 44%. Source: 2013 State of the State address to California Legislature Jan 24, 2013

Jerry Brown: Major reductions in our prison population

In the field of public safety, we have changed historic practices in our prison system and transferred significant responsibilities to local authorities. The Federal courts, backed up by the United States Supreme Court, have ordered major reductions in our prison population and dramatic improvements in the medical and mental health programs that the state makes available. In response, we have transferred the supervision of tens of thousands of lower level offenders from the state to our 58 counties. This realignment is bold and far reaching, but necessary under the circumstances. And local law enforcement has risen to the occasion.

Our prisons are pioneering new programs and treatments--and so are the counties. Last week, I visited the Lerdo Jail just north of Bakersfield and sat in on some classes. It was moving to hear the men's stories and the struggles they encounter.

Source: 2014 State of the State Address to California legislature Jan 22, 2014

Jerry Brown: Instead of new laws, consider the overall system

My plea is relatively straightforward: Take time to understand how our system of crime and punishment has evolved, how other states and countries have devised their prison systems and what changes might we now make. I urge that instead of enacting new laws because of horrible crimes and lurid headlines, you consider the overall system and what it might need and what truly protects public safety. Source: 2018 California State of the State address Jan 25, 2018

Jerry Brown: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Sep 21, 2016

Jimmy Panetta: Supports alternatives but accepts mandatory minimums

Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?

A: Yes

Q: Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?

A: As a prosecutor, I must uphold the laws only after a thorough review of all facts, but ultimately that decision is up to the people. Every American deserves equal justice under the law

Source: Vote-Smart 2016 California Political Courage Test Nov 8, 2016

John Chiang: Education & anti-poverty to fight crime

Chiang said his family was "struck deeply by crime" after his sister was abducted and killed in 1999. "My family, we're Catholic. We believe in redemption. We believe in hope," Chiang said. "We also believe in being serious on crime. You want people in the right place, but we're trying to build a better society." He said the state should focus on educating children and addressing poverty to prevent crime. Source: US News & World Report on 2018 California gubernatorial race Apr 4, 2017

Norma Torres: Work with the community to combat crime

Making sure the public safety system is responsive and working collaboratively with the community to combat crime has been one of Torres' priorities. A former 9-1-1 dispatcher, Torres understands the fear families face during emergencies. That is why she wrote the law that modernized the 9-1-1 system so that cell phone users are immediately routed to their local police department and not a statewide call center.

The California Sheriff's Association, League of California Cities, Professional Engineers in California Government, Yellow Ribbon America, and the American Hero's Foundation, among many others, have recognized her for her outstanding leadership.

Source: 2014 California House campaign website, NormaTorres.com Oct 10, 2014

Julia Brownley: Opposes capital punishment

Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?

A: No.

Q: Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?

A: No.

Source: California Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test Oct 30, 2010

Julia Brownley: Alternative sentencing and separate juvenile courts

Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?

A: Yes.

Q: Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?

A: No.

Q: Should a minor who sends sexually-explicit or nude photos by cell phone face criminal charges?

A: No.

Source: California Congressional 2010 Political Courage Test Oct 30, 2010

Kamala Harris: Don't require cops to wear body cameras

Joining fellow law enforcement officials, California Attorney General Kamala Harris said she doesn't believe there should be statewide standards regulating the use of body-worn cameras by police officers: "I as a general matter believe that we should invest in the ability of law enforcement leaders in specific regions and with their departments to use discretion to figure out what technology they are going to adopt based on needs that they have and resources that they have. I don't think we can have a one-size-fits-all approach to this," she said.

Harris, whose own department is the first statewide agency to adopt a body camera program, waded into an issue that has sparked intense debate at the Capitol. One measure, Assembly Bill 66, has undergone several revisions to permit police officers in most jurisdictions to review footage captured on the cameras before giving a report of an incident involving force.

Source: Sacramento Bee coverage of 2016 California Senate race May 27, 2015

Kamala Harris: Acknowledge that certain communities distrust police

Use of the body-worn camera equipment was thrust into the national dialogue following a string of officer-involved incidents, many involving young African Americans. Harris has established a new training protocol for law enforcement that focuses on "implicit bias" and related issues. Harris said there needs to be broader acknowledgment that certain communities distrust law enforcement.

"We have a history in this country that we can be proud of and then there's a part of the history that we are not proud of," Harris said, adding, "But we also have to acknowledge that the relationship of trust is a reciprocal relationship, and everyone has a responsibility to be a part of leading that effort."

Source: Sacramento Bee coverage of 2016 California Senate race May 27, 2015

Kamala Harris: Personally opposed to death penalty; as DA, never pursued it

While Harris has argued that she has always been personally opposed to the death penalty, some media sources questioned whether she altered her position in the run-up to election in 2010. Though she stated in her 2004 inaugural address as San Francisco's District Attorney that she would never charge the death penalty, when asked during her campaign for attorney general if there would ever be a time when she would seek the death penalty, she answered, "We take each case on a case by case basis, and I'll make decisions on each case as they arise."

The Chris Kelly campaign, in an effort to emphasize the San Francisco DA's refusal to enforce the law, released a video that shows Harris telling an astonished reporter for the local KTVU news station that "she had never seen a case that merited pursuing the death penalty during her time as District Attorney."

Source: Ballotpedia.org coverage of 2016 California Senate race Jan 30, 2004

Kamala Harris: Focus on helping non-violent young offenders

Harris supported reforming California's three-strikes law, refrained from seeking life sentences for criminals who committed nonviolent "third strikes," and in 2004 instituted the Back on Track program, which put first-time offenders between ages eighteen and twenty-four into eighteen-month-long city college apprentice programs, which contributed to the city's recidivism rates dropping from 54 percent to 10 percent in six years.

"Getting Smart on Crime does not mean reducing sentences or punishments for crimes," she explains in her book. As her website outlines, "Kamala believes that we must maintain a relentless focus on reducing violence and aggressively prosecuting violent criminals." Fittingly, when she became San Francisco DA, the felony conviction rate rose from 52 percent to 67 percent in three years.

Source: Jacobin Magazine on 2018 California Senate race Aug 10, 2017

Kamala Harris: Defied pressure for death penalty for cop killer

The first test of Harris's principles came in 2004, after she was elected as San Francisco's district attorney. Harris defied a united chorus of voices--from the city's police chief and police rank and file, to Democratic senator Dianne Feinstein--calling for the death penalty for a twenty-one-year-old who killed an undercover police officer. During the officer's funeral, 2000 officers gave Feinstein a standing ovation after she criticized Harris, who was also at the funeral. Source: Jacobin Magazine on 2018 California Senate race Aug 10, 2017

Kamala Harris: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Mar 21, 2016

Kevin de Leon: Gang violence plagues our neighborhoods

While crime is down in Los Angeles, one of my greatest frustrations is the ongoing gang violence that continues to plague our neighborhoods. While walking precincts during my first campaign, I stumbled across bullet casings on sidewalks--just feet from where children were playing. I have ever since been determined to get the handgun ammunition that fuels this violence out of the hands of criminals and gang-bangers. Source: 2018 California Senate campaign website KevinDeLeon.com Jan 1, 2018

Kevin de Leon: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 24, 2016

Kevin Faulconer: We didn't defund police, we hired more and kept us safe

We became the only big city in America, among the 10 biggest cities we analyzed, to repair more than half our roads in a matter of years, not decades. After struggling with homelessness like other areas across the state, we bucked the status quo to make San Diego the only big city in California where homelessness went down, not up. Instead of defunding the police, we worked to hire more officers and keep us one of the safest big cities in the nation. Source: San Diego Union Tribune on 2021 California recall race Feb 12, 2021

Larry Elder: Police falsely accused of systemic racism, keep cash bail

I will never sacrifice public safety just to appease a corrupt minority that chants "defund the police" and that falsely accuses police officers of "systemic racism." I will never surrender the safety of the streets to the insanity of "no cash bail." I will never approve releasing 20,000 prisoners under a covid "early release" program, knowing too many will re-offend. I will work for a fair and firm bail policy. Source: 2021 California Governor campaign website ElectElder.com Jul 22, 2021

Mark Meuser: Criminals do not fear any repercussions for their actions

[On San Francisco crime]: "Californians are tired of the ongoing crime wave in this state, and Americans across the country are looking at California with concern that policies that are being implemented in this state will come to them. It's sad that someone can't come enjoy dinner in this once beautiful city without the expectation that their belongings will be ransacked by criminals that do not fear any repercussions for their actions." Source: Orange County Breeze on 2022 California Senate race May 17, 2022

Neel Kashkari: Don't release dangerous people onto the streets

On prison reform: Kashkari says Brown has "pushed the problems on to someone else. We need temporary measures'' to ensure California will "not release dangerous people in to the streets.'' He calls for a "comprehensive review of our prison system, both looking at the number of beds we have and who we locking up,'' especially when it comes to minor drug offenses. Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2014 California governor race Nov 14, 2013

Ro Khanna: Support alternatives to prison; oppose capital punishment

Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?

A: No

Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?

A: Yes

Source: Vote-Smart 2016 California Political Courage Test Nov 8, 2016

Rob Bonta: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Rep. Rob Bonta voted YEA; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records AB2524 Aug 24, 2016

Rob Bonta: Cut administrative fees on people in criminal justice system

Legislative Outcome:Passed Assembly 59-17-3 on 8/31; passed Senate 30-7-3 on 8/31; Sen. Bonta voted YES; Signed by Gov. Newsom on 9/18/20

Source: California Legislative voting record AB1869 Aug 31, 2020

Rocky Chavez: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 30, 2016

Tom Steyer: More parole opportunities for convicted non-violent felons

Report on Steyer's stance and spending on ballot initiatives:

California Proposition 57, Parole for Non-Violent Criminals and Juvenile Court Trial Requirements (2016)
Steyer Supported; Steyer spent $1.75 million; outcome: Approved
Proposition 57 was on the November 8, 2016, ballot in California as a combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported increasing parole and good behavior opportunities for felons convicted of nonviolent crimes and allowing judges, not prosecutors, to decide whether to try certain juveniles as adults in court.
A "no" vote opposed this measure increasing parole and good behavior opportunities for felons convicted of nonviolent crimes and favored keeping the current system of having prosecutors decide whether to try certain juveniles as adults in court.

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Jul 2, 2019

Tom Steyer: Repeal the California death penalty

Report on Steyer's stance and spending on ballot initiatives:

California Proposition 62, Repeal of the Death Penalty (2016)
Steyer Supported; Steyer spent $1.75 million; outcome: Defeated
California Proposition 62 was on the November 8, 2016, ballot in California as an initiated state statute. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported repealing the death penalty and making life without the possibility of parole the maximum punishment for murder.
A "no" vote opposed this measure repealing the death penalty.
On March 13, 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed an executive order placing a moratorium on the death penalty.
President Donald Trump responded to Gov. Newsom's executive order, saying, "Defying voters, the Governor of California will halt all death penalty executions of 737 stone cold killers. Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!"

Source: Ballotpedia.org on California ballot measure voting records Jul 2, 2019

Travis Allen: Protect victims, not criminals

Travis has been fighting for policies to keep criminals off of our streets and out of our neighborhoods. In 2014, the "realignment" law released thousands of criminals from state prisons. Since then, crime has spiked--increasing by 7.6% in 2015 alone, and violent crimes have increased by double digits in major cities in 2016. California must re-establish our tough on crime policies that allow law enforcement to do their jobs and protect the victims of crimes, not the criminals. Source: 2018 California Gubernatorial website JoinTravisAllen.com Sep 1, 2017

Travis Allen: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 30, 2016

Xavier Becerra: Committed to combatting sexual violence

Sexual violence derives from unequal power relationships and is one of the most common violations of people's rights. Attorney General Becerra is committed to combatting sexual violence in all its forms. Source: California Attorney General website: Press Release Dec 16, 2020

Xavier Becerra: Eliminate bias in policing, reduce unnecessary force

Attorney General Becerra is committed to increasing fairness and transparency throughout the criminal justice system by effectively implementing California laws critical to eliminating bias in policing and reducing unnecessary uses of force; promoting evidence-based approaches and trainings to improve police practices across California; and investigating agencies for civil pattern or practice violations when there is evidence to suggest systemic police misconduct. Source: California Attorney General website: Biden Cabinet Dec 16, 2020

Young Kim: Improve criminal justice reporting; increase accountability

[Attorney General Kamala Harris' press release on OpenJustice Data Act]: The OpenJustice Data Act, said Harris, "will bring criminal justice data reporting into the 21st Century."

Legislative outcome: Aug/24/16 passed Senate 39-0-0; Aug/30/16 passed Assembly 80-0-0; Sep/21/16 signed by Governor Jerry Brown

Source: California legislative voting records: AB-2524 Aug 30, 2016

The above quotations are from State of California Politicians: Archives. Click here for definitions & background information on Crime. Click here for other issues (main summary page).
*2016 Presidential contenders on Crime:*
	*Republicans:* ~~Gov.Jeb Bush~~(FL) ~~Dr.Ben Carson~~(MD) ~~Gov.Chris Christie~~(NJ) Sen.Ted Cruz(TX) Carly Fiorina(CA) ~~Gov.Jim Gilmore~~(VA) ~~Sen.Lindsey Graham~~(SC) ~~Gov.Mike Huckabee~~(AR) ~~Gov.Bobby Jindal~~(LA) Gov.John Kasich(OH) ~~Gov.Sarah Palin~~(AK) ~~Gov.George Pataki~~(NY) ~~Sen.Rand Paul~~(KY) ~~Gov.Rick Perry~~(TX) ~~Sen.Rob Portman~~(OH) Sen.Marco Rubio(FL) ~~Sen.Rick Santorum~~(PA) Donald Trump(NY) ~~Gov.Scott Walker~~(WI)	*Democrats:* ~~Gov.Lincoln Chafee~~(RI) Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY) ~~V.P.Joe Biden~~(DE) ~~Gov.Martin O`Malley~~(MD) Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT) ~~Sen.Elizabeth Warren~~(MA) ~~Sen.Jim Webb~~(VA) *2016 Third Party Candidates:* ~~Gov.Gary Johnson~~(L-NM) Roseanne Barr(PF-HI) Robert Steele(L-NY) Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023