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California bill that allows warrantless arrest for shoplifting sparks debate among lawmakers over possibility of mass incarceration

By lauraharris // 2024-04-02

A newly proposed bill in the California State Assembly would allow warrantless arrest for shoplifting. But despite a strong bipartisan support, this proposal has sparked intense debate among lawmakers over possibility of mass incarceration. Assembly Bill (AB) 1990, authored by Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Boyle Heights), permits law enforcement to conduct warrantless arrests for shoplifting, a crime currently only punishable with citations and fines, regardless of whether it occurred in the presence of an officer. Notably, the bill requires no minimum threshold for the value of stolen goods to warrant such arrests. (Related: Rampant shoplifting is forcing retailers like Walmart and Target to LOCK UP essential products.) Carrillo justified that AB 1990 would counter the alarming 81 percent spike in shoplifting incidents in Los Angeles between 2022 and 2023, with nearly 12,000 retail theft cases last year alone. She underscored the severity of the issue in her district in LA, citing more than 200 cases filed by LA County district attorneys in 2023. "AB 1990 … is an urgent call to action in response to the alarming escalation of organized retail theft that threatens the very fabric of our communities. Shoplifting adversely affects both small and large businesses, our state’s economy, and the security and well-being of our neighborhoods," said Carrillo in a March 20 press release. "It is our responsibility to confront a problem that has been increasingly worsening over time. Organized groups targeting retail stores have plunged businesses and communities into chaos, creating an environment of disorder for some and instilling fear in consumers, employers, and employees who are uncertain about their safety at work." In other words, Carrillo and her bipartisan co-authors believe AB 1990 represents a vital measure to prevent more store closures and joblessness. However, Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor (D-Hawthorne), one of the vocal opponents of the bill, called on her fellow lawmakers to reject the bill, claiming that it is "bad for Black and Brown folks." She argued that the proposed legislation could exacerbate mass incarceration, especially among Black and Brown communities. "Bad public policy that will only increase mass incarceration is not a solution. The laws on the books are effective if our law enforcement partners would enforce them," McKinnor said.

Study: African Americans in nearly all California counties have higher arrest rates than Whites

A 2019 Public Policy Institute of California report backed the claims of McKinnor. The study, which examined arrest data spanning several decades, highlights that while there has been a reduction in racial disparities since their peak in 1992, considerable gaps remain. In 2016, the African American arrest rate was still three times higher than that of White people, while Hispanic arrest rates were 1.1 times as high. Notably, the disparities in arrests are not uniform across the state. African Americans face higher arrest rates compared to Whites in nearly all of California's 58 counties. In some counties, the African American arrest rate is a staggering six times higher than that of Whites. However, the disparities between Hispanic and White arrest rates are less pervasive, with Hispanics being arrested at lower rates than Whites in 26 counties. The study also reveals a correlation between racial disparities in arrests and the socioeconomic landscape of counties. Counties with higher median household incomes and lower poverty rates tend to exhibit greater racial disparities in arrests. Counties with higher educational attainment levels also tend to have larger racial disparities. Moreover, the analysis delves into felony arrest rates. African Americans still constitute a sizable proportion of felony arrests, though their share has decreased over time. Proposition 47, which reclassified certain offenses from felonies to misdemeanors in 2014, has had a notable impact on the overall composition of arrests. The share of felony arrests has decreased across all racial and ethnic groups. Watch this video that discusses why shoplifting is on the rise across America. This video is from the Dr. William Mount channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Dallas, Los Angeles see largest increases in shoplifting as U.S. economy falters. Mississippi policewoman arrested for SHOPLIFTING shoes while on duty and in uniform. BAD APPLE: NYC shoplifting reports hit record levels for second straight year. UNCONSTITUTIONAL: In 2021, the FBI conducted more than 278,000 warrantless searches on U.S. citizens. More people in the U.K. are shoplifting food and selling it on the black market. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com PPIC.org Brighteon.com

collapse crime big government panic chaos dangerous retailers mass incarceration shoplifting retail theft businesses retail crime warrantless arrest