All parents ask their children what they want to be when they grow up. Astronaut, firefighter and doctor have long been favorites. But California has now added a dubious new profession to the list: shoplifting entrepreneur. Shoplifting in California has become so rampant that it’s no longer just a petty crime. It’s an $8 billion per year industry where organized 'rip crews' strip an entire store, resell the goods, and return to steal again.
Prop 36 is an opportunity to send a clear message to those who exploit California’s present lawlessness: the Golden State will no longer be a safe haven for retail crime. During her political career, Kamala Harris inaugurated a heyday for shoplifters and created a new industry for stolen goods; 2024 is a good year to shut down her legacy of crime, permanently.