For the past decade, California has been experiencing a dangerous and costly crime wave. While state and local politicians have refused to act, in the November 2024 election, California voters took matters into their own hands by overwhelmingly approving Prop 36 to “Make Crime Illegal Again” in our state.
I’m proud to have collected signatures to put Prop 36 on the ballot and strongly supported its passage. Unfortunately, CA politicians are trying to overturn the will of the voters by refusing to fund implementation of Prop 36 in this year’s budget.
We need to fully implement Prop 36 to restore law enforcement’s ability to crack down on crime. By empowering police and prosecutors to charge repeat offenders and thefts under $950 as felonies, we’re reversing the disastrous effects of Proposition 47, which incentivized shoplifting and petty theft.
Prop 36 was a good first step – but much more must be done to address the state’s crime wave.
That’s why I’ve introduced AB 22, the End Reckless Release of Criminals Act which will ensure that those who pose a serious threat to public safety stay where they belong: behind bars, not in our neighborhoods. For years, Proposition 57 has been abused to release violent offenders early by classifying them as “nonviolent.” AB 22 will repeal these provisions.
The release of Sexually Violent Predators is another problem we must immediately address. Since the New Year, two sexually violent predators (SVPs) were released into Campo and Borrego Springs—communities that had no say in the decision.
SVPs are so dangerous that, even after serving their sentences, the state still considers them a threat. Instead of keeping them locked up, these predators are being released into neighborhoods, increasing anxiety and fear in our communities. This practice is unacceptable, and my AB 22 bill will put an end to it by prohibiting the release of sexually violent predators into residential neighborhoods.
We must also secure the border if we are to control crime. California continues to break federal law, and protect illegal immigrant criminals from deportation. As part of my ongoing commitment to securing the border to restore public safety, I’ve introduced AB 18, the California Secure Borders Act. This bill will repeal sanctuary state, track crimes committed by illegal immigrants, and give local law enforcement the authority to assist with immigration enforcement.
The consequences of Sacramento’s neglect don’t just stop with criminals slipping through the cracks. They also extend to cases like the tragic death of Austin Spitz. On Thanksgiving Day 2023, in Campo, Austin was killed in a hit-and-run. Despite overwhelming evidence that the driver had been drinking, because he fled the scene, prosecutors couldn’t charge him with DUI—only hit-and-run. His sentence? Just five years. A slap on the wrist for taking an innocent life. This loophole must be closed, which is why I introduced Austin’s Law (AB 1281) to ensure that hit-and-run drivers who cause serious injury or death face a mandatory 15-year prison sentence. If this law had been in place when Austin was killed, his killer wouldn’t have gotten off with such a light sentence.
These bills—AB 22, AB 18, and Austin’s Law—are common-sense reforms that will help restore public safety and bring justice back to California. Proposition 36 was only the beginning. Californians want criminals held accountable, and they want their communities protected from those who threaten their safety.
For too long, our state representatives have turned a blind eye to the voices of victims and law-abiding citizens. They’ve made excuses for rising crime, prioritized criminals over the public, and allowed violent offenders to roam free. That ends now. As your voice in Sacramento, I’ll ensure that Proposition 36 is fully implemented and that criminals who threaten our safety will face the consequences they deserve.
It’s time to end the cycle of protecting criminals and start protecting the people of California. The time to act is now, and I will continue to lead that charge.
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio represents District 75.
