60C - RESO FOR CA SAFE ACT - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

WHEREAS, as a result, between 2014 and 2016, California had the second highest increase in theft and property crimes in the United States, while most states have seen a steady decline; and WHEREAS, according to the California Department of Justice, the value of property stolen in 2015 was $2.5 billion with an increase of 13 percent since 2014, the largest single -year increase in at least ten years; and WHEREAS, grocery store operators around the state have seen unprecedented increases in the amount of losses associated with shoplifting in their stores, with some reporting up to 150 percent increases in these losses from 2012 to present, with the largest jumps occurring since 2014; and WHEREAS, shoplifting incidents have started to escalate in such a manner that have endangered innocent customers and employees; and WHEREAS, individuals who repeatedly steal often do so to support their drug habit, but recent changes to California law have reduced judges' ability to order individuals convicted of repeated theft crimes into effective drug treatment programs; and WHEREAS, California needs stronger laws for those who are repeatedly convicted of theft related crimes, which will encourage those who repeatedly steal to support their drug problem to enter into existing drug treatment programs, and this Act would enact such reforms; and WHEREAS, collecting DNA from criminals is essential to solving violent crimes, and over 450 violent crimes including murder, rape and robbery have gone unsolved because DNA is being collected from fewer criminals; and WHERAS, DNA collected in 2015 from a convicted child molester solved the rape -murders of two six -year -old boys that occurred three decades ago in Los Angeles County; and DNA collected in 2016 from an individual caught driving a stolen car solved the 2012 San Francisco Bay Area rape -murder of an 83-yearold woman; and WHEREAS, recent changes to California law unintentionally eliminated DNA collection for theft and drug crimes, but this Act restores DNA collection from persons convicted for such offenses; and WHEREAS, permitting collection and more DNA samples will help identify suspects, clear the innocent and free the wrongly convicted; and WHEREAS, this Act does not affect existing legal safeguards that protect the privacy of individuals by allowing for their removal of their DNA profile if they are not charged with a crime, are acquitted or are found innocent. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Ana, that : Resolution No. 2020-XXX Page 2 of 2 60C-4