California Governor Signs Major Legislation to Combat Smash-and-Grab Thefts

On Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom enacted a comprehensive legislative package aimed at tackling smash-and-grab thefts and property crimes. This new bipartisan law introduces ten bills designed to enhance penalties for repeat offenders, target professional theft rings, and address auto theft and cargo theft more effectively.

The legislation represents one of the most substantial reforms to combat retail theft in recent years. It allows law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods from different victims to impose more severe penalties. Additionally, the new laws enable arrests based on video footage and witness statements, and introduce measures to crack down on professional reselling operations through stricter marketplace regulations.

Newsom, who signed the bills in a Home Depot store in San Jose, emphasized the importance of this legislation. “This package is a decisive step forward, addressing retail theft in a considered and effective manner,” Newsom stated. He highlighted that the legislation would improve safety without reverting to excessive incarceration practices.

While the package received broad support, some progressive Democrats opposed it, arguing that it could be overly punitive. The legislation also includes provisions to close legal loopholes related to auto theft and requires platforms like eBay to collect detailed information from high-volume sellers. Retailers will now have the option to seek restraining orders against convicted shoplifters.

This legislative move comes amid ongoing debates over crime policy in California. Democratic leaders, including Newsom, have been working to counter a ballot measure, Proposition 36, which proposes harsher penalties for repeat shoplifters and drug offenders. Newsom has criticized Proposition 36 as a return to outdated policies that would disproportionately impact low-income individuals and those with substance use issues.

As retail theft and property crime have surged, partly highlighted by viral videos of brazen thefts, Newsom’s administration has allocated substantial funds to bolster local law enforcement efforts. Despite this, critics argue that quantifying the retail crime problem is challenging due to inconsistent data reporting.

In response to the escalating crime concerns, California Highway Patrol has recovered $45 million in stolen goods and made nearly 3,000 arrests since 2019. Meanwhile, state Democrats face mounting pressure to balance tough-on-crime measures with their commitment to criminal justice reform.