Gov. Newsom signs 10 bills to fight retail crimes, car thefts and stolen good sales

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Governor Gavin Newsom along with a large group of lawmakers, law enforcement, local and state leaders, and retailers came together on Friday in San Jose to celebrate what they hope will curb retail theft.

Newsom signed 10 new bills into law that aim to combat smash-and-grabs, car thefts and the sale of stolen goods in California.

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Videos of smash and grabs became a more common sight during the pandemic.

But since 2022, California has been cracking down on retail thefts from issuing millions of dollars in crimefighting grants, to sending additional CHP officers to parts of the Bay Area.

Now, state leaders are taking their next big step.

"I think the collective message is clear: if you ransack our stores, if you attack our people, if you endanger our communities, we will come for you," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

The Property Crime and Retail Theft Crackdown bill package promises stronger enforcement, more serious penalties and steep consequences.

"This package is going to be instrumental in curbing retail theft and organized retail theft in California," CA Retailers Assoc. President Rachel Michelin said.

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"Evidence-based and results-oriented is the core of the Senate's approach in the bills that Governor Newsom will be signing today," State Senator Nancy Skinner said.

The 10 bills hold criminals accountable from crimes involving property, retail and vehicles.

They create stricter penalties, including enhanced felony charges and punishments for those selling stolen goods.

They also bolster existing laws to enforce and prosecute - particularly repeat offenders through increased probation for shoplifting and petty theft and retail theft restraining orders.

But Governor Newsom says the work does not stop here.

"Program passing is not solving a problem," Newsom said. "Solving a bill doesn't solve a problem. It's the hard work that comes over the next weeks and months to deliver on what we're promoting and promising."

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Results San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan looks forward to seeing.

But he believes it's only a good first step and more needs to be done to target those who commit crimes because of addiction or mental health problems.

He's calling for the passage of Prop 36, which would increase penalties for certain drug and theft crimes.

"What we really need is mass treatment," Mahan said. "And that's why I'm supporting Prop 36 and why I'm asking our leaders in Sacramento to support is more tools for judges, more treatment. We need to get our most vulnerable people into treatment now."

Newsom brushed off the idea that Prop 36 would help his cause. But he agrees, this package is only a first step.

Assemblymember Mia Bonta who represents the 18th Assembly District, which consists of Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville, released the following statement in response to the new bills:

With years of experience on the ground in my district, I have witnessed firsthand the pain in our community as we've fought for faster-moving progress on public safety. As a legislator, I supported the legislation I felt most certain would provide relief, including increasing resources for prosecutors, combating cargo theft, and shutting down illicit marketplaces. While I was away fulfilling other legislative obligations when select parts of the package were voted on, I did vote on and continue to support legislation that is proven to lower crime, contribute to greater security, and increase community prosperity without harkening back to the expensive, ineffective, and discriminatory mass incarceration practices of the past like Prop 36 proposes.

I served on the Select Committee on Retail Theft and I am appreciative of our debate and solutions-based approach in addressing this issue and providing much-needed relief for Californians.

I am thankful to the Governor for his open line of communication, for engaging with me on the needs of my district, and providing additional state resources for Oakland and the East Bay, such as increased CHP staffing, removing blight, and proving relief for small businesses.