Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper launched a blistering assault on Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers over the state’s strategy to crime, accusing them of failing victims and dragging their toes on reforms backed by voters.
Talking in a wide-ranging interview with KCRA 3’s California Politics 360, Cooper mentioned state leaders haven’t carried out sufficient to deal with crime, criticizing insurance policies surrounding psychological well being diversion, home violence and the rollout of Proposition 36.
When requested to evaluate the governor and Legislature’s response to crime, Cooper didn’t mince phrases.
“Not sufficient. Not sufficient,” he mentioned. “It’s simply irritating that individuals are hesitant to do something.”
The sheriff’s criticism comes as lawmakers race towards the tip of this yr’s legislative session, with roughly a month remaining to ship payments to Newsom’s desk.
Though California just lately reported its lowest murder charge in practically 60 years, Cooper questioned whether or not the figures paint the total image, arguing that extra have to be carried out to guard communities and assist crime victims, in accordance with KCRA 3.
A significant focus of Cooper’s criticism was Proposition 36, the voter-approved measure handed in 2024 that stiffened penalties for repeat theft and drug crimes whereas permitting eligible offenders to have felony fees dismissed in the event that they efficiently full court-ordered substance abuse or psychological well being therapy.
The measure gained assist from about 70% of voters statewide and carried each one among California’s 58 counties.
“Not one statewide official supported it. And that’s troubling,” Cooper advised the outlet.
Whereas he argued the legislation has proven early indicators of success, significantly with retailers reporting declines in theft, Cooper mentioned the state has failed to offer sufficient cash to make the initiative efficient.
“The difficulty isn’t any funding, no funding got here with it.”
“It’s working. However with out funding, it doesn’t go wherever,” he added.
State officers have mentioned this yr’s funds contains $375 million to assist implement Proposition 36.
Nonetheless, funds paperwork present solely $50 million is particularly earmarked for the measure itself, with the cash directed towards courts and pretrial companies, KCRA reported.
Cooper additionally blasted California’s psychological well being diversion system, which permits sure defendants to obtain therapy as an alternative of conventional prison penalties. He warned that increasing eligibility to incorporate theft offenses would weaken Proposition 36 and cut back accountability for offenders.
“It could water it down,” he mentioned, including that some lawmakers “don’t need anyone held accountable.”
The Legislature and Newsom just lately authorized modifications supposed to tighten oversight of the diversion program, however Cooper argued the reforms nonetheless fall brief.
“Some crimes are so surprising … you shouldn’t be eligible for psychological well being diversion,” he mentioned, citing instances involving felony youngster abuse and sexually violent predators.
The sheriff additionally criticized California’s therapy of home violence offenses, arguing the state nonetheless refuses to categorise them as violent felonies regardless of the severity of many instances.
Throughout the interview, Cooper recalled investigations involving victims who suffered extended beatings and devastating accidents, together with one lady who was allegedly assaulted for 3 days and one other whose attacker gouged out her eyes.
“Home violence goes on day by day. Doesn’t matter when you’re wealthy or poor. Occurs in each neighborhood. Now we have to deal with it significantly,” Cooper mentioned.
Requested why some lawmakers oppose making home violence a violent felony, Cooper dismissed the rationale.
“They don’t have any argument. They simply vote towards it.”
Cooper closed the interview by urging California leaders to shift their focus away from offenders and again towards these harmed by crime.
“We’ve bought to get again to the victims,” he mentioned.
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