Prop. 47 Resulting In More Crimes Going Unpunished, Some Charge

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — New findings are raising additional concerns over Proposition 47, a law designed to cut prison sentences for many nonviolent offenses.

"He got out early and he was able to do more crime and we were the victim of that," said Allesha Jeffries of the man who's accused of stealing her son's specially-made bike.

Jeffries says it's hard enough caring for her 13-year-old with cerebral palsy, but when his bike was stolen, her heart dropped.

She said though when she learned from prosecutors that the suspected thief was a repeat offender released early by Prop. 47, she was livid.

Passed by voters in 2014, the proposition reduces some felonies to misdemeanors and limits jail time for many crimes.

The Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs and Association of Deputy District Attorneys has come out in opposition of the law.

Deputy District Attorney Marc Debbaudt says a new study shows, because of Prop. 47, more criminals are on the street.

In Los Angeles County last year, there was a 31 percent drop in bookings for property crime and 68 percent fewer bookings for drug offenses, according to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).

Why? Debbaudt says, if there's no punishment, law enforcement has no reason to arrest them.

"They have no motivation since nothing is being done to these people," he said. "In fact, they are committing crimes with virtual impunity because there are no consequences."

Another study shows violent crime in Los Angeles County increased 54 percent last year and property crime is up by 145 percent, also according to the PPIC.

That's something the Jeffries say they experienced first-hand.

Though the bike was found, the suspect was arrested, and a new bike was donated, the Jeffries say it's not over. They hope to testify at the trial.

"I don't know that anything's going to stop him. Maybe, a child speaking to him maybe will make the difference, I don't know," said Jeffries.

The study, though, did find that Prop. 47 will save the state an upwards of $130 million.

Opponents argue it's already cost the citizens of LA County nearly $250 million in property loss.

In order to repeal the law, the Legislature would have to act and people would have to voice their concerns to their representatives.

Debbaudt said the law likely passed because supporters dubbed it the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act.

But, he says, it turned into anything but.