Two terrorists armed with assault rifles carried out a shooting attack in Jaffa.

What Does California’s New Street Crime Law Mean for Orange County?

Last year, Californians overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36, a law designed to impose stricter penalties for certain drug and theft crimes. While proponents argue the law will enhance public safety, critics warn it could strain the state’s justice system by increasing costs for prisons, jails, and courts.

A Shift in Drug and Theft Crime Policies

Approved by 68% of voters in November, Prop. 36 introduces a new court process requiring individuals charged with drug possession under specific circumstances to undergo rehabilitation or face jail time. The law, effective December 18, also rolls back portions of Proposition 47, passed in 2014, which reclassified petty theft and some drug possession offenses as misdemeanors.

This change follows years of declining property crime and drug felony arrests in Orange County (OC). State data show property crimes—including burglary, motor vehicle theft, and shoplifting—dropped from 68,237 in 2015 to 57,933 in 2023, a 15% decrease. Felony drug arrests saw an even sharper decline, plummeting 82% from 9,458 in 2014 to 1,735 in 2023 after Prop. 47 took effect.

Supporters Highlight Public Safety and Rehabilitation

Advocates for Prop. 36, including the California League of Cities, argue the law will enhance community safety by addressing substance abuse and cracking down on repeat offenders.

“It’s clear that public safety concerns have reached a boiling point,” said Connor Medina, regional public affairs manager for the League’s OC division. “Prop. 36 equips law enforcement with better tools to combat property crimes, deadly drug trafficking, and other serious issues affecting communities.”

Medina believes the law will improve residents’ quality of life by holding habitual offenders accountable while promoting treatment for substance abuse.

Critics Warn of Overcrowding and Inequity

However, opponents like the Santa Ana-based nonprofit Chispa fear Prop. 36 could lead to prison overcrowding, rekindle punitive drug policies, and divert funds from restorative justice programs.

“We’re likely to see more Black and brown individuals funneled into the criminal justice system,” said Bulmaro Vicente, policy and political director at Chispa. “This law risks undermining reentry programs that have helped many people rebuild their lives.”

Vicente urged local governments to continue supporting initiatives like Project Kinship, a program providing services to individuals transitioning out of incarceration.

Looking Ahead

As Orange County navigates the implementation of Prop. 36, the debate underscores broader questions about how California should balance public safety with restorative justice and rehabilitation. The law’s impact on local communities, budgets, and the criminal justice system will become clearer in the months ahead.