Prosecutors Alliance Action Executive Director Cristine Soto DeBerry issued the following statement on the signatures submitted today for a ballot initiative to roll back Proposition 47:

“Every Californian deserves to feel safe when they go to work, to the grocery store, and to the mall. That’s why we must invest in smart solutions that prevent retail theft and promote long-term public safety, not the same failed strategies that exploded our prison populations and cost taxpayers billions without making our communities safer.

Giant corporations are spreading misinformation to derail the progress our state has made in reducing crime. The truth is that since Proposition 47 went into effect in 2014, misdemeanor shoplifting has decreased by 20 percent statewide and we’ve saved more than $800 million that has been invested back in our communities to prevent crime.

There is more work to be done, and commonsense solutions to retail theft exist. The Prosecutors Alliance of California is proud to sponsor SB 1144 by Senator Skinner to disrupt the online sale of stolen goods by tightening regulations and SB 1446 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas to proactively prevent theft through protections for retail workers.

California voters should be proud of Prop 47 and continue to build on its success, not let mega corporations only looking out for their bottom line unravel our important progress.”

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The Prosecutors Alliance of California is comprised of prosecutors and supporters committed to reforming California’s criminal legal system through smart, safe, and modern solutions that advance public safety, human dignity, and community well-being. PAC is fiscally sponsored by Tides Advocacy, a 501(c)(4) organization.