HomeMy WebLinkAbout18-13 - Keeping California Safe Act of 2018RESOLUTION NO. 18-13
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE REDUCING CRIME AND KEEPING CALIFORNIA
SAFE ACT OF 2018
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA HEREBY RESOLVES AS
FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, protecting every person in our state, including our most vulnerable
children, from violent crime is of the utmost importance. Murderers, rapists, child
molesters and other violent criminals should not be released early from prison; and
WHEREAS, since 2014, California has had a larger increase in violent crime
than the rest of the United States. Since 2013, violent crime in Los Angeles has
increased 69.5%. Violent crime in Sacramento rose faster during the first six months of
2015 than in any of the 25 largest U.S. cities tracked by the FBI; and
WHEREAS, The FBI Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report for 2017,
which tracks crimes committed during the first six months of the past year in U. S. cities
with populations over 100,000, indicates that last year violent crime increased again in
most of California's largest cities; and
WHEREAS, recent changes to parole laws allowed the early release of
dangerous criminals by the law's failure to define certain crimes as "violent." These
changes allowed individuals convicted of sex trafficking of children, rape of an
unconscious person, felony assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a police officer or
firefighter, and felony domestic violence to be considered "nonviolent offenders," and
are eligible for early release from prison after serving only a fraction of the sentence
ordered by a judge; and
WHEREAS, violent offenders are also being allowed to remain free in our
communities even when they commit new crimes and violate the terms of their post
release community supervision, like the gang member charged with the murder of
Whittier Police Officer, Keith Boyer; and
WHEREAS, this measure reforms the law so felons who violate the terms of their
release can be brought back to court and held accountable for such violations; and
Resolution No. 18-13 Page 1 of 4
WHEREAS, nothing in this act is intended to create additional "strike" offenses
which would increase the state prison population, nor is it intended to affect the ability
of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to award educational
and merit credits; and
WHEREAS, recent changes to California law allow individuals who steal
repeatedly to face few consequences, regardless of their criminal record or how many
times they steal; and
WHEREAS, as a result, between 2014 and 2016, California had the 2nd highest
increase in theft and property crimes in the United States, while most states have seen
a steady decline. 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% 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. 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. This
measure enacts such reforms; and
WHEREAS, recent changes to California law unintentionally eliminated DNA
collection for theft and drug crimes. This measure restores DNA collection from
persons convicted for such offenses, as collecting DNA from criminals is essential to
solving violent crimes. Over 450 violent crimes including murder, rape and robbery
have gone unsolved because DNA is being collected from fewer criminals; and
Resolution No. 18-13 Page 2 of 4
WHEREAS, permitting collection of more DNA samples will help identify
suspects, clear the innocent and free the wrongly convicted, and
WHEREAS, this measure does not affect existing legal safeguards that protect
the privacy of individuals by allowing for the removal of their DNA profile if they are not
charged with a crime, are acquitted or are found innocent; and
WHEREAS, 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. DNA collected in 2016 from an individual caught driving a stolen car solved
the 2012 San Francisco Bay Area rape/murder of an 83 -year-old woman.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Costa Mesa hereby supports the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of
2018.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of March, 2018.
Sandra L. Genis, Mayor
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Brenda Gree6J City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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Thomas Dua , dty Attorney
Resolution No. 18-13 Page 3 of 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk of the City of Costa Mesa, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the
above and foregoing is the original of Resolution No. 18-13 and was duly passed and adopted by
the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa at a regular meeting held on the 61 day of March, 2018,
by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Foley, Righeimer, Stephens, Mansoor, Genis
NOES:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
None
ABSENT:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the seal of the City of
Costa Mesa this 7'h day of March, 2018.
a --a& ay'. -e
Brenda Green, tity Clerk
Resolution No. 18-13 Page 4 of 4