On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his plan to spend more than $300 million to aid law enforcement and businesses after a series of smash-and-grab thefts.
The three-year plan involves cracking down on organized crime, which is suspected to be a large part of crimes in California.
Newsom said “These organized retail mobs … (have) a profound impact on our feelings of safety here in this state, this region and as I note, this country”.
“The issue of crime and violence is top of mind all throughout not only the state of California but across the United States, highlighted recently by some high-profile retail theft operations,” Newsom explained.
The money will be part of his proposed state budget in January.
Under the plan, $255 million over the next three years would be given to law enforcement agencies to put officers in stores to discourage crime. $30 million would go to district attorneys who are involved in the prosecutions of retail and auto thefts.
On top of that, $18 million would be used to create an “organized theft special unit”, with investigators and prosecutors focusing on organized crime ringleaders.
$20 million would to small businesses affected by the smash-and-grab robberies and another $20 million would be given to the California National Guard to deal with the smuggling of illegal drugs.
Lastly, $25 million would be used for the “largest gun buyback program in America”. Newsom previously announced a plan to allow private citizens to sue manufacturers, distributers, and sellers of assault weapons or ghost gun kits.
