Proposition 47 Supporters Hail Victory As Savings For State With Lesser Penalties On Small Crimes

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A local family is celebrating the victory of a proposition some have warned could put families in danger.

Proposition 47 passed on Tuesday night, reducing penalties for low-level drug and property crimes.

Ruby Watkins celebrated with her family after finding out the initiative passed, because it will affect her boyfriend who spends a lot of time in county jail.

She says he baby's father is one of countless people arrested for what she calls minor infractions, such as petty theft.

"He goes back in, and get back out," she said.

Under Prop. 47, shoplifting, forgery, fraud, petty theft and possession of small amounts of drugs—including cocaine and heroin—can now be treated as misdemeanors instead of felonies.

"The state is wasting money and you wonder why we have no money," she said.

One objective of the move is to save hundreds of millions of dollars in state prison costs by reducing the inmate population.

But major law enforcement groups believe it will make neighborhoods more dangerous.

The California Police Chiefs Association says "We are discouraged by the results of Tuesday's election. As law enforcement leaders, we have the responsibility to keep our communities safe. The passing of this initiative will make our efforts much more challenging."

But Watkins believes people like her boyfriend who habitually commit low-level crimes shouldn't be considered dangerous to families.

"I don't think it's fair at all," she said.

The proposition still allows felonies to be imposed on registered sex offenders, or anyone who was previously convicted for sex or violent crimes.