SACRAMENTO—As law enforcement warns residents to leave their expensive jewelry at home amid rising crime, a state lawmaker says the fight to repeal Proposition 47 isn’t over yet.
Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) announced Assembly Bill 1599 will have another chance after failing in a partisan vote during a California Public Safety Committee on March 8.
“My bill to repeal Prop. 47 has been granted reconsideration and will have another vote,” Kiley wrote on Twitter on March 26.
Proposition 47, which was passed by voters in 2014, downgraded some crimes, such as simple drug possession, from felonies to misdemeanors and raised the minimum amount of stolen goods from $400 to $950 for a theft case to be classified as felony.
Kiley told The Epoch Times that the timing for lawmakers to vote on the pending legislation is urgent as crime continues to worsen.
“Continual rise in crime across the state has gotten out of control,” Kiley said while referencing the announcement by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) warning residents to not wear expensive jewelry outside their homes as crime spikes.
“This shouldn’t be happening,” Kiley said.
In an advisory last week, LAPD urged residents to travel in groups and remain in well-lit areas to avoid becoming victims.
“In the event a person is approached during a robbery, especially when armed with a firearm, the department encourages victims not to resist. No property is worth the risk of life,” the advisory read.
If passed, AB 1599 will allow voters to decide whether Proposition 47 should be repealed.
While it is uncertain when the legislation will receive a second hearing, Kiley said he hopes lawmakers take urgent action to halt crime.
