Stockton mayor: Prosecuting theft less rigidly only (you guessed it) increases theft
Harmen Jansz Muller: Achan buries the spoils of war in his tent. Image in Public Domain
SJ's Matt Mahan isn't the only Californian mayor speaking out against Prop 47, which demoted property thefts of less than $950 to misdemeanors. This fall, after a spiny altercation between 7-Eleven workers and an attempted robber, Stockton's mayor Kevin Lincoln observed how the proposition restricts law enforcement from protecting residents—thus creating more Unsafe Neighborhoods and Schools (isn't it ironic?). From WPDE ABC15.
Two California 7-Eleven workers who restrained and beat a would-be robber won’t be charged with criminal offenses, a California prosecutor said.
In a statement shared to Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln’s Instagram, the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office clarified that its ongoing investigation into the situation is solely related to prosecuting the attempted robber.
“The store clerks are not and have never been suspects. Any investigation going forward is to hold accountable the individual who threatened and attempted to rob the store clerks,” the office wrote.
Lincoln continued, calling out a state law many say has led to a rise in shoplifting.
“California state law, Proposition 47, hinders business daily by increasing shoplifting incidents and decreasing our law enforcement’s ability to hold accountable those responsible for such acts. These kinds of California laws continue to impact communities,” he wrote.
The investigation stems back to a viral video earlier this month that showed two shop owners retaliating against a man who attempted to steal dozens of cigarette cartons by dumping them into a trash can and wheeling it out of the store.
This article originally appeared in WPDE ABC15. Read the whole thing here.
Follow Opportunity Now on Twitter @svopportunity
Opp Now enthusiastically welcomes smart, thoughtful, fair-minded, well-written comments from our readers. But be advised: we have zero interest in posting rants, ad hominems, poorly-argued screeds, transparently partisan yack, or the hateful name-calling often seen on other local websites. So if you've got a great idea that will add to the conversation, please send it in. If you're trolling or shilling for a candidate or initiative, forget it.