Governor Newsom Signs Organized Retail Crime Bill Giving CHP Crimes Task Force Renewed Resources
(Sacramento – July 21, 2021) – Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law legislation on organized retail crimes authored by California State Assemblymember and Chair of the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-south Los Angeles).
New Bill Seeks to Mitigate Harmful Use of Illegal and Dangerous Fireworks
(Sacramento – July 20, 2021) – Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D–South Los Angeles) co-authored Assembly Bill 1588, which seeks to provide $1.8 million in funding to the California State Fire Marshal to safely enforce existing statewide programs to prevent the use of illegal and dangerous fireworks.
Bill Authorizing Funding to Combat Organized Retail Theft Heads to the Governor’s Desk
(Sacramento – July 15, 2021) – Today, Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer’s (D–South Los Angeles) legislation on organized retail theft passed out of the Legislature with unanimous, bipartisan support in both the Assembly and Senate.
Assembly Public Safety Chair’s Bill to Improve Officer Standards Passes in the Senate Public Safety Committee
(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer’s (D-South Los Angeles) AB 89, the Peace Officer Education and Age Conditions for Employment (PEACE) Act has passed in the Senate Public Safety Committee with bipartisan support.
Organized Retail Crime Challenges
SAN FRANCISCO — A flurry of shoplifters in masks and hooded jackets sprinted from a downtown Neiman Marcus last week and into getaway cars with armfuls of designer handbags — a scene captured on video and raising fears that rings of thieves were hitting retail businesses.
The incident, which remains under investigation, was only the latest to give an impression of lawlessness running rampant in San Francisco's stores, where people have been caught on recordings openly swiping products seemingly without repercussion.
Hate Crimes Escalate
Anti-Asian hate crimes more than doubled in California in 2020, according to a report from the state attorney general, underscoring fears among Asian Americans about being targeted during the coronavirus pandemic.
Overall, hate crimes reported to law enforcement rose 31% in the state last year, with attacks against Asians up by 107%, according to the report released Wednesday.