While California crime rates remain at historic lows, voter-approved Proposition 47 appears to have led to an increase in certain property crimes, according to a new Public Policy Institute of California report that aims to shed some light on the effects of the measure–an ongoing, contentious point of debate in the state.
While researchers found what appeared to be a correlation between Prop. 47 and upticks in larceny, the measure did not make a measurable contribution to the state’s increase in violent crime. Moreover, Prop. 47 appears to have contributed to a reduction in recidivism in California, while also lowering the prison and jail populations.
Money saved by Prop. 47 was earmarked for mental health services and drug rehab programs for criminal justice system-involved people, efforts to reduce truancy and help at-risk students, and for victims services.
In June 2017, the state portioned out chunks of the $103 million in savings to 23 California cities and counties to spend on community programs focused on reducing recidivism.
Anderson, founder of Californians for Safety and Justice, said reduced recidivism and prison and jail populations, in combination with historically low crime rates and reinvestment in anti-recidivism programs, shows that Prop. 47 is helping to “rebalance” the state’s investments in public safety.
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