Stanislaus students come out strong in support of Proposition 36 crime crackdown
As part of a larger mock election unit he’s conducting at Pitman High School in Turlock, teacher Isaac W. Farhadian had his students in AP U.S. government and politics, U.S. government and economics write letters to the editor.
Because of the volume of letters, we are breaking them up by ballot proposition. We are publishing batches of letters, sometimes edited for length, in the weeks leading up to the Nov. 5 election.
The following letters regard Proposition 36, which would allow felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950, if defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions. .
Increased penalties will help people feel safer
Dear Editor,
The amount of crime in Turlock and other cities around is unacceptable and outrageous. Proposition 36 would help with this problem. It is about increasing the punishment for certain crimes by turning them into felonies. Increasing the time for these criminals will hopefully change other people’s minds of committing a crime and can also provide more time for rehabilitation while in prison. Overall, it will keep them away from our town. This proposition would also help people feel safer and more confident in their homes. I want to be able to go on a walk or even go to the store without being worried that something is going to happen, and I’m sure many other people feel the same. People should not have to feel this way living their daily lives. We need to prevent frequent crimes from happening. Vote yes on Proposition 36.
Audrey Montes, Turlock
Longer sentences will lower crime rates
Dear Editor,
There needs to be a change in the way drug crimes and theft are being managed. Proposition 36 is about change. A change in the way these cases are handled. A change in crime overall. This proposition will increase the penalties for certain drug crimes by increasing sentence lengths and crime activity in general. Having this proposition approved would lower crime rates in California. The sentences for these criminals would be served in a state prison. What a great way to improve this situation! On the other hand, if this proposition were to get disapproved, it would maintain certain drug and theft crimes as misdemeanors. This cannot be allowed! Approving Proposition 36 is the only way. There has to be change, and that change needs to start now!
Karen Perez, Turlock
Fight theft and fentanyl with Prop. 36
Dear Editor,
How often do we hear about a store or shopping area closing because of retail theft? How often do we see in the news that another teen has died from overdosing on fentanyl? Voting yes on Proposition 36 would help control the retail theft epidemic our state faces and discourage the illegal sale of dangerous drugs like fentanyl. Currently, it seems like as long as someone steals property valued at less than $950, there is no punishment. People should not be let off as easily as they are now, and Prop. 36 would help fix that. Under Prop. 36, after two or more convictions, even if the theft is valued at less than $950, it can be charged as a felony. Over the past years, the amount of fentanyl being sold and used has dramatically increased. Fentanyl has become such a large problem it’s even being talked about in our schools. As a student, I have been to assemblies to learn about the dangers of fentanyl and I often see the slogan “One Pill Could Kill.” Clearly, this drug is a large problem that needs to be fought against, which can be done by passing Prop. 36.
Samantha Stapler, Turlock
Vote to undo the damage of Proposition 47
Dear Editor,
Proposition 36 is the only way to undo the wrong of Proposition 47. Proposition 36 would allow increased sentences for drug and theft crimes. Unfortunately, Proposition 47 has a misleading title, the “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act” of 2014. The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act encouraged more theft, discouraged retail establishments, and the population at large from reporting these crimes, which skewed the statistics of crime, making it appear lower. By passing Proposition 36, more products remain and fewer insurance claims would be produced by the retail businesses, ensuring insurance claims are minimized and retail prices remain low. Yes, crime rates would appear to spike, but this is considering those who steal would be disciplined instead of never learning proper etiquette and rules. When teaching a child, it is important to set boundaries and disciplinary actions. If not, this child would become unmanageable. This situation is similar to theft and drug transgressors of today. Overall, drug and theft crimes have become a widely known and unchecked problem due to shoddy and mistitled legislation. If Proposition 36 is passed, maybe we can claw back to some semblance of safety.
Alexandria Pereira, Turlock
Stop giving thieves a slap on the wrist
Dear Editor,
Voting no on Prop. 36 is equivalent to condoning theft and moral incompetence. This is due to the current state of the law surrounding theft. We have all seen videos of people stealing items from stores. If you’ve not, there are many, and I implore you to. This is because it so obviously violates businesses’ private property. When you make a transaction with a business, you are taking its goods for money. How would you feel if someone walked into your house every day and took stuff and you couldn’t do anything? Voting yes on Prop. 36 would allow these moral lawbreakers to be punished. Laws serve to preserve moral integrity in society. How can we stand by and watch as businesses get harassed by wrongdoers and not even get a slap on the hand? Moreover, creating a punishment for theft would discourage it, because people who steal because there is no downside will now need to make a personal decision whether to violate the law. We can stand against this clear violation of morality by voting yes on Prop. 36.
Marc Sousa, Turlock
For businesses’ sake, no on Prop. 32, yes on 36
Dear Editor,
Voters have the opportunity to make California more friendly to businesses by voting on Proposition 32 and 36. Proposition 32 will raise the minimum wage to $18 by Jan. 1, 2025, which realistically will only raise prices and cause companies to cut jobs. Proposition 36 addresses the issues that Proposition 47 caused. Since Proposition 47, theft has spiked, which made it difficult for businesses when their products are being stolen. Proposition 36 would place a penalty on recurring theft that will likely prevent crime and remove the incentive of no punishment for stealing. Thus, for the businesses, vote no on Proposition 32 and yes on Proposition 36.
Jacob Costa, Turlock
Law goes too easy on certain criminals
Dear Editor,
Not one day goes by without smelling the odor of marijuana or seeing people walk out of stores with a full cart of stolen valuables. It’s a shame that these certain actions are motivated by the law for being too easy on them. Prop. 36 can get rid of Prop. 47 of 2014, which was accepted to not fight the war against drugs. Prop. 36 would make certain drug and theft offenses felonies for individuals who have had two or more prior related convictions. This means sentencing would be longer, up to three years in jail or prison, depending on the criminal record of an individual.
Josue Martinez, Turlock
Lock up thieves, not store products
Dear Editor,
Current law states that if a person steals items under the price of $950, then it is only considered a misdemeanor. People have taken advantage of this fact and will continue to steal unless action is taken.
Businesses have begun locking up items. This action has slowed down shoplifting on select items. The downside of this solution is that customers have to wait in order to get their items. In order to get what you want to purchase, you must call for an employee. I have had to deal with this issue firsthand at the local Walmart. Nearly every small item is locked behind a case. A quick trip to pick up a few things turned into a long wait for employees to unlock them. This solution is very impractical and we need a new one. That new solution is Proposition 36. A vote to pass Proposition 36 will make any theft a felony and greatly reduce shoplifting without any of the downsides.
Ethan Sousa, Turlock
Let customers shop freely again
Dear Editor,
Your punishment should reflect the wrongdoing of your crime and your criminal history! Proposition 36 permits felony charges and increases sentences for certain theft crimes. Countless large establishments and small businesses are forced to suffer due to local theft cases around Turlock and Modesto. For me, a regular trip to Walmart consists of calling an associate to come and unlock a glass case that holds beauty products. Really? All that for mascara? Also, multiple small businesses in downtown Turlock are heavy with cameras even most of the stores aren’t spacious. When will we be able to attend stores without having these irritating security measures?
The criminals committing these acts must be held accountable for their actions! Depending on the theft, crimes someone has committed in the past will determine their sentence length. An increased sentence alongside felony charges will make a greater impact on the culprits, potentially preventing them from wanting to break the law over and over again. Prevent these lawbreakers from taking advantage. Vote yes on Proposition 36.
Danica Zamora, Turlock
Remind criminals there are consequences to actions
Dear Editor,
I am outraged by the lack of punishment people receive for their actions. People are distributing illegal drugs, and getting away with theft with little consequences, and this can’t stand. By voting yes on Proposition 36 this mistake can be changed by increasing the sentences for theft based on the value stolen. Voting yes will also make it so that certain drug-related charges will be considered felonies instead of misdemeanors, making it so that people don’t just get off scot-free for three actions. You may be thinking “How does this affect our community?” By voting yes on this proposition, you will be helping create a safer, more welcoming environment for all people to live. Some people may say that it will make the jails too crowded but I believe this is not the case because by voting yes it will discourage people from committing these crimes in the first place because of the increased repercussions. In summary you should vote yes on Proposition 36 because it will make us safer and make people take responsibility for their actions.
Michael Lewis, Turlock
Make communities safer from drugs, theft
Dear Editor,
Proposition 36 increases punishments for drug and theft crimes, such as prison sentences, which make communities safer from drugs or thefts. Our communities understand the rights and wrongs like stealing or possessing illegal drugs, so there should be no holding back when it comes to sentences. Felony charges for thefts under $950 should always have been the case. Possession of drugs would require treatment that would further benefit my community from the rise of fentanyl. Fentanyl has killed many people and is one of the deadliest drugs out in the streets that needs enforcement by the law. Proposition 36 increases penalties for fentanyl, providing a safer community from sellers and buyers who would most likely get treatment from these drug offenses that would benefit themselves.
Juan Martinez, Turlock
Show criminals we won’t bend to them
Dear Editor,
Since Proposition 47 was voted into action in 2014, California hasn’t been the same. The state has given these thieves leeway and they get little to no repercussions. Proposition 47 was a horrendous idea, allowing people to steal $950 worth of products without any form of severe punishment is an absolute joke. Many hard-working Californians already have to deal with inflation, and this is almost as if we are unintentionally promoting robberies. That’s why we have to vote for Prop. 36, to show these criminals that everyone has to pay if they want something from a store. I don’t want to live in a state where we decide to be friendlier to criminals while screwing the people who work hard to put food on the table. If you want to help people in need who can’t afford necessities, don’t enable them to steal but encourage them to find a job and make them take financial management classes. We must show this state we don’t bend to criminals but stand up to them.
Alexis Hernandez Tapia, Turlock
