New measure aims to reduce drug use and crime across California

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Leaders crossed the authorities are moving to trim transgression and homelessness.

Thursday, The Californians for Safer Communities Coalition, submitted implicit 900,000 signatures to get a caller measurement connected the November ballot, that makes changes to Prop 47.

Supporters accidental the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act would make harsher penalties for repetition offenders and volition assistance support tiny businesses and families impacted by the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

Carlos Mendoza, proprietor of "Bird Dog Cards & Comix" says helium was forced to get a gross to support radical from robbing his store.

"It was astir $10,000 connected this 1 alone," said Mendoza.

He showed Action News surveillance video from 6 months ago, erstwhile idiosyncratic stole dozens of maestro cards from him.

"I'm conscionable tying to similar physique a assemblage here, person a spot truthful that radical tin travel play cards with their families and friends and stuff, and erstwhile radical bash this, it makes it benignant of hard," said Mendoza.

That's wherever the "Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act" comes in.

The measurement would clasp radical accountable who repeatedly bargain from stores.

It besides aims to people those who are consistently selling drugs similar fentanyl.

"I don't privation different parent to consciousness what I feel, each azygous day," said Pamela Smith, who mislaid her lad to fentanyl.

July 3rd, 2016, Pamela Smith mislaid her lad Jackson to fentanyl, and he's not unsocial she says 110 Californians dice each week due to the fact that of the drug, and she thinks this inaugural is simply a important measurement successful addressing the ongoing crisis.

"What volition hap is that the radical who are arrested for cause abuse, astatine a definite point, they volition beryllium offered cause attraction and that's what they need," said Smith.

"It volition besides penalize the cause traffickers arsenic they request to beryllium penalized, due to the fact that close present its beauteous overmuch a slap connected the wrist, and to maine that's not bully enough, due to the fact that they are destroying families."

Clint Olivier, CEO of the Central Valley Business Federation, says if approved by the caput of authorities for the ballot, helium believes it would marque the aureate authorities a much livable place.

"I deliberation this is an contented that truly cuts crossed contention and sex and economical level due to the fact that everybody is paying the outgo of this," said Olivier. "Prices are going up due to the fact that the radical who are buying and going done the cheque basal really person to wage extra, to wage for the goods that are going retired erstwhile radical don't spell done the cheque stand."

Mendoza is conscionable hoping helium tin proceed creating the harmless abstraction helium intended for the paper and collectable communities.

"I can't person that hap again," said Mendoza.

With the 900,000 signatures, the measurement is present eligible for the November ballot.

However, the caput of authorities inactive has to reappraisal the signatures.

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