Keeping California Safe Act: Riverside County Supes Endorse

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — In a 4-1 vote, Riverside County supervisors Tuesday endorsed a measure on the November ballot that seeks to "fix the unintended consequences" of previously voter-approved criminal justice reform initiatives.

"This is a common sense approach," District Attorney Mike Hestrin told the Board of Supervisors concerning the Keeping California Safe Act of 2020.

"This does not repeal anything. It's not overturning anything by any means," said Hestrin, who advocated for the board's endorsement of the measure.

Only board Chairman V. Manuel Perez opposed the endorsement, which Supervisor Kevin Jeffries sought jointly with Hestrin. The proposition will be put before voters in the Nov. 3 general election.

Perez said he had qualms about backing the act because he perceived "nuances" that left too many unanswered questions.

Sheriff Chad Bianco joined Hestrin in encouraging the board's endorsement, saying "the Legislature has been on a de-criminalization mission" that has put greater numbers of law-abiding citizens at risk.

"There were consequences and mistakes in Propositions 47 and 57, and it's necessary to correct those," Bianco said. "Our county residents need your help."

Prop 47, approved in 2014, reduced a number of offenses previously categorized as felonies to misdemeanors, while Prop 57, approved two years later, resulted in significant changes to sentencing guidelines and parole eligibility, ostensibly to reduce prison overcrowding.

"The Keeping California Safe Act will fix the unintended consequences of those measures," Hestrin said. "The problem is the law now categorizes heinous, horrible crimes as `non-violent,' and the offenders can still be eligible for early release.

"Rape of an unconscious person is considered non-violent," the D.A. said. "Trafficking a child for sex is considered non-violent. Assault on a peace officer is considered non-violent. Felony domestic violence is considered non-violent. Think about that for a second. We cannot get more Orwellian than that. We need to fix these flaws."

Hestrin said Prop 47's reduction of a series of offenses to misdemeanors has had the effect of permitting people to walk free and avoid meaningful penalties when they need to be shown there are "consequences" for their crimes and be placed in the judicial system so they can "get the help they need," such as rehabilitation or vocational assistance.

Supervisor Jeff Hewitt asked if serial arsonists are classified as non-violent, and Hestrin said yes, noting that a repeat arsonist is currently eligible for early parole after serving only a portion of his or her sentence.

The district attorney said one of the major changes that the act would establish is making a defendant who commits three separate thefts in a set period eligible for felony prosecution.

"It's a modest, common sense fix," Hestrin said. "One thing that is not in dispute is that theft crimes have risen in recent years."

According to the DA, the act would also require a return to mandatory DNA collection from all offenders when they're convicted.

"That information is uploaded into the state's database and (helps solve) cases of murder and rape," he said.

Hestrin and Jeffries dismissed complaints among opponents that the act would "reinstate the Drug War," imposing lengthy prison terms for drug offenses.

"We're not talking about enhancing sentencing," Jeffries said. "We do not believe people with drug addictions need to be treated as criminals. What is proposed is corrective action, and it's the right thing."