This week, during the San Diego County Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer demonstrated her detachment from the realities faced by our communities. Her apparent opposition to Proposition 36 — a measure designed to reverse the disastrous effects of Proposition 47 — highlights her disregard for public safety and her willingness to ignore the voices of those she was elected to represent.
California is suffering from organized and serial retail theft and trafficking of deadly hard drugs like fentanyl, often because the people committing these crimes do not face serious consequences. Prop. 36 is not just another proposition on the ballot; it enjoys strong bipartisan support because residents are tired of the disastrous effects from Prop. 47, a law that effectively decriminalized theft and drug use. Prop. 47’s leniency emboldened criminals, leading to a dramatic increase in repeated theft, drug overdoses and a growing sense of lawlessness.
Lawson-Remer actually said, “we don’t need Prop. 36.” and she couldn’t be more wrong. We do need Prop. 36 because it will bring back accountability for those who continue to commit theft, and it will incentivize treatment for those suffering from drug addiction. Prop. 36 will close the loophole that enabled thieves to steal over and over again without facing increased penalties.
Fentanyl and drug addiction are overwhelming our communities. They’re fueling the homelessness crisis, creating an epidemic of theft, and raising costs for business owners and working families.
Prop. 36 is about restoring a sense of accountability. It introduces necessary penalties for repeat offenders and those who commit serious crimes under the guise of minor theft. It also enhances sentencing for crimes involving drug use, a critical step in addressing the addiction-driven crime wave that has spiraled out of control under Prop. 47. Importantly, Prop. 36 will also give judges the tools they need to compel habitual drug addicts into treatment, helping them break the cycle of addiction and crime.
Lawson-Remer’s refusal to support Prop. 36 is a slap in the face to every San Diegan who has been victimized and suffered under the rise of criminal activity. Her opposition signals that she is more concerned with protecting the rights of criminals than defending the safety of law-abiding citizens. This is not the leadership San Diego County needs or deserves.
As San Diego’s former mayor and a resident, I’ve seen firsthand the negative effects of Prop. 47. That’s why I stand firmly with the residents of San Diego County who demand safer streets. Prop. 36 is critical to reclaim our county from lawlessness. I urge voters to see through the misguided rhetoric of those like Lawson-Remer, who are out of touch with the real challenges our communities are facing.
The time for change is now. Prop 36. offers a clear path forward by addressing organized and serial retail theft, confronting the fentanyl crisis in our communities and prioritizing mental health and drug treatment. It’s the reason why Prop. 36 is supported by a broad bipartisan coalition — Democrats, Independents, Republicans, small businesses, local elected leaders, law enforcement, social justice organizations, and crime victims’ and drug survivor advocates.
Let’s not allow the dangerous policies of the past to dictate our future.
Kevin Faulconer is a California native who served as the 36th mayor of San Diego from 2014 to 2020. He is campaigning for the Board of Supervisors seat in District 3.
