FRESNO, Calif. – As California faces an alarming increase in crime and a devastating fentanyl crisis, local leaders have united in support of Proposition 36, urging voters to vote “Yes” this November. Proposition 36 aims to reform Proposition 47, a measure enacted in 2014 that sought to reduce prison overcrowding by downgrading thefts under $950 from a felony to a misdemeanor. Prop 36 seeks to enforce stricter policies for repeat offenders while providing necessary pathways for drug treatment.

Key Central Valley representatives—including Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp, California League of Cities & Mayor of Fowler Daniel Parra, and Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni—joined Scott Miller, CEO of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, to emphasize the importance of community support for this measure.

“We are in a crisis in California, and Prop 36 is the first step in order to get back,” stated District Attorney Smittcamp, attributing rising inflation and consumer costs to “watered-down laws that have been happening for the last 10 years.” She noted that current laws have failed to adequately address the growing concerns surrounding drug trafficking and property crimes.

Sheriff Zanoni highlighted the issue of drug trafficking, stating, “Individuals who are trafficking 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 lbs of fentanyl down Interstate 5 are booked into our jail, and their bail is somewhere between $25,000 – $35,000. For drug dealers, that’s not a lot of money. We have to ensure that we have increased punishment and bail for people who are trafficking this poison.”

Prop 36 aims to allow for tougher penalties on repeat offenders, include mandatory drug treatment, and provide provisions to prosecute fentanyl dealers more effectively. This approach balances the need for accountability with the understanding that addiction requires comprehensive treatment options.

While Fresno has seen a decrease in robbery and murder rates compared to the previous year, reports indicate an uptick in rape and aggravated assault. According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Fresno County reported nearly $43 million in stolen property over the past five years, with about $13 million of those stolen items recovered —just about 30%. Although property crime has decreased nationally, the need for proactive measures to address theft and substance abuse remains critical.

One of the significant changes proposed by Prop 36 is the introduction of mandatory drug treatment programs for offenders. Clint Olivier, President and CEO of the Central Valley Biz Federation, pointed out that this initiative is a grassroots movement, emphasizing, “Californians are sick of burying their kids from drug overdoses, sick of having their businesses broken into… but because in California we have direct democracy, we have the initiative system, and that gives us Prop 36—it’s an opportunity.”

Mayor Parra emphasized the urgency of the situation: “We are facing an escalating retail theft and shoplifting crisis and a deadly fentanyl epidemic. Prop 36 offers a balanced, practical approach to tackling these urgent challenges.” A representative of League of California Cities, Mayor Parra announced that 80% of Californians representing 476 cities supports Yes on Prop 36.

Pamela Smith, founder of Mothers in Grief Support Group, lost her only child to fentanyl poisoning in 2016. Smith believes that stronger policies can prevent death, stating, “it will help address the fentanyl epidemic and bring peace of mind to families like mine by ensuring that drug traffickers are held accountable for their actions. This synthetic opioid is 100 times stronger than morphine and just a small amount can be fatal.”

How serious is the fentanyl situation? A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that over 109,000 deaths occurred in 2022 from drug overdoses, with manufactured fentanyl and related synthetic opioids accounting for nearly three-fourths of those fatalities. David Tangipa, Honorary Chairperson of Prop 36 for Fresno County and candidate for State Assembly, added, “I think about the overall 110,000 people who died just last year from fentanyl … Prop 36 gives honorable leaders the tools to fix California and just bring us back to sanity.”

Data from the National EMS Information System’s Drug Overdose Surveillance Dashboard shows that Fresno County reports a higher-than-average rate of drug overdoses, reflecting a concerning trend across California.

As the election approaches, the discussions surrounding Proposition 36 highlight the urgency for change in California’s criminal justice system and the need for effective solutions to combat the rising tide of crime and addiction.

Stay tuned for further analysis on how Prop 36 could shape the future of our community.