Proposition 6: Criminal Penalties and Laws; Public Safety Funding

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What is the Criminal Penalties and Laws; Public Safety Funding Statute?

This proposition will increase funding for prisons, create new temporary jails, increase criminal penalties for some crimes, establish a statewide gang registry and create new gang injunction procedures. Proposition 6 will:

  • Require that youth 14 years or older charged with a “gang-related” felony be tried as adults;
  • Prohibit bail for undocumented immigrants charged with certain “gang-related” crimes;
  • Require local law enforcement officials to record the immigration status of anyone charged, booked or convicted of a felony;
  • Significantly increase penalties for crimes considered “gang-related”, whether or not violence was used;
  • Make anyone convicted of a felony that is punishable by life imprisonment ineligible to receive reduction in sentencing for good behavior or participation in work, training or education programs;
  • Increase funding to prisons, probation and police in the amount of by $1billion in 2009, and $500 million every year after;
  • Remove community, alcohol/drug treatment and mental health groups from juvenile justice coordinating councils that determine county-level policy for juvenile justice;
  • Subject recipients of federal housing subsidies to annual criminal background checks in order for counties to receive new funding.
What do supporters of Proposition 6 say?
  • Crime in California is increasing at an alarming rate and this initiative will serve to curb that drastically;
  • The measure hits gangs where they live and increases penalties for crimes often associated with gangs;
  • The proposition helps sustain local police, sheriff, district attorney and probations officers;
  • It saves children from gang involvement and stops wasting taxpayer dollars on unsuccessful anti-gang programs through scrutiny of a publicly-appointed Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Commission;
  • Prop 6 will help gang victims and fund victim-witness protection programs.
What do opponents of Proposition 6 say?
  • After 10 years of Three Strikes, crime is still “rising at an alarming rate;” proving that “tough” on crime measures doesn’t work. We must instead be “smart on crime,” focusing on prevention and rehabilitation;
  • The funding increase will be taken out of the CA General Fund and Education Fund which means closing schools to open prisons;
  • It relies on failed policies for ‘public safety’;
  • It unfairly targets poor people, youth, immigrants, and people of color;
  • The proposition exploits the fear of crime, saying that prison and police are the only solution to fighting crime and gang activity.
Who supports Proposition 6?
  • Law Enforcement Organizations/Local Law Enforcement Officials/Organizations/Local Elected Officials (Partial List): California Police Chiefs’ Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association, California District Attorneys Association, Chief Peace Officers’ of California, Los Angeles Police Protective League, Sheriffs of Los Angeles County, Crime Victims United, Crime Victims Action Alliance, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors
Who opposes Proposition 6?
  • Law Enforcement/Elected Officials/Individuals/City Governments/Labor Unions/Interfaith Organizations/Civil Rights (Partial List): Minorities in Law Enforcement, Bernard Parks (former L.A. Police Chief), Congresswoman Barbara Lee, State Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero, Latino Caucus Chair Joe Coto, Senator Leland Yee, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellum, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Mayor Tom Bates, Dolores Huerta (United Farm Workers), Community Justice Network for Youth, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, NAACP, California Federation of Teachers, ACLU, ACORN, Progressive Christians United, Progressive Jewish Alliance

(Partial Lists)

Retrieved from "http://mivcalifornia.org/docs/Proposition_6:_Criminal_Penalties_and_Laws;_Public_Safety_Funding"
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