HomeMy WebLinkAbout18-028 - Resolution RESOLUTION NO. 18-028
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE
REDUCING CRIME AND KEEPING CALIFORNIA SAFE ACT OF
2018.
WHEREAS, protecting every person in our state, including our most vulnerable children,
from violent crime is of the utmost importance. Murderers, rapists, child molesters and other
violent criminals should not be released early from prison; and
WHEREAS, recent changes to parole laws allowed the early release of dangerous
criminals by the law's failure to define certain crimes as "violent." These changes allowed
individuals convicted of sex trafficking of children, rape of an unconscious person, felony assault
with a deadly weapon, battery on a police officer or firefighter, and felony domestic violence to be
considered "nonviolent offenders."; and
WHEREAS, as a result, these so-called "non-violent" offenders are eligible for early
release from prison after serving only a fraction of the sentence ordered by a judge; and
WHEREAS, violent offenders are also being allowed to remain free in our communities
even when they commit new crimes and violate the terms of their post release community
supervision, like the gang member charged with the murder of Whittier Police Officer, Keith Boyer;
and
WHEREAS, this measure reforms the law so felons who violate the terms of their release
can be brought back to court and held accountable for such violations; and
WHEREAS, nothing in this act is intended to create additional "strike" offenses which
would increase the state prison population, nor is it intended to affect the ability of the California
Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to award educational and merit credits; and
WHEREAS, recent changes to California law allow individuals who steal repeatedly to
face few consequences, regardless of their criminal record or how many times they steal; and
WHEREAS, as a result, between 2014 and 2016, California had the 2nd highest increase
in theft and property crimes in the United States, while most states have seen a steady decline.
According to the California Department of Justice, the value of property stolen in 2015 was $2.5
billion with an increase of 13 percent since 2014, the largest single-year increase in at least ten
years; and
WHEREAS, grocery store operators around the state have seen unprecedented increases
in the amount of losses associated with shoplifting in their stores, with some reporting up to 150%
increases in these losses from 2012 to present, with the largest jumps occurring since 2014; and
WHEREAS, shoplifting incidents have started to escalate in such a manner that have
endangered innocent customers and employees; and
Resolution No. 18-028 - Page 1 of 3
WHEREAS, individuals who repeatedly steal often do so to support their drug habit.
Recent changes to California law have reduced judges' ability to order individuals convicted of
repeated theft crimes into effective drug treatment programs; and
WHEREAS, California needs stronger laws for those who are repeatedly convicted of theft
related crimes, which will encourage those who repeatedly steal to support their drug problem to
enter into existing drug treatment programs. This measure enacts such reforms; and
WHEREAS, collecting DNA from criminals is essential to solving violent crimes. Over 450
violent crimes including murder, rape and robbery have gone unsolved because DNA is being
collected from fewer criminals; and
WHEREAS, DNA collected in 2015 from a convicted child molester solved the rape-
murders of two six-year-old boys that occurred three decades ago in Los Angeles County. DNA
collected in 2016 from an individual caught driving a stolen car solved the 2012 San Francisco
Bay Area rape/murder of an 83-year-old woman; and
WHEREAS, recent changes to California law unintentionally eliminated DNA collection for
theft and drug crimes. This measure restores DNA collection from persons convicted for such
offenses; and
WHEREAS, permitting collection of more DNA samples will help identify suspects, clear
the innocent and free the wrongly convicted, and
WHEREAS,this measure does not affect existing legal safeguards that protect the privacy
of individuals by allowing for the removal of their DNA profile if they are not charged with a crime,
are acquitted or are found innocent.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA,
HERBY SUPPORTS the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018.
Resolution No. 18-028 - Page 2 of 3
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of May, 2018.
l J
Lnne B. Kennedy, Mayor Pro- em
ATTEST:
d4
J e C. Reynolds, Cler
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a/YUL- e: /ga
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO ) ss
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA )
I, Janice C. Reynolds, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Cucamonga,
do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed, approved, and adopted by
the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, at a Regular Meeting of said Council held
on the 2nd day of May 2018.
AYES: Alexander, Kennedy, Spagnolo, Williams
NOES: None
ABSENT: Michael
ABSTAINED: None
Executed this 3rd day of May, 2018, at Rancho Cucamonga, California.
r. Afes,clid
J ice C. Reynolds, Clerk
Resolution No. 18-028 - Page 3 of 3