HomeMy WebLinkAboutContracts & Agreements_101-2024City of
REDLANDS
35 Cajon Street, Redlands, CA 92373
909-798-7533
etejeda@cityofredlands.org
EDDIE TEJEDA
Mayor
June 4, 2024
The Honorable James Ramos
Member, California State Assembly
1021 0 Street, Suite 8310
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 1772, (Ramos) Theft.
Notice of SUPPORT (As Amended on April 3, 2o24)
Dear Assembly Member Ramos:
PAUL BARICH
Mayor Pro Tempore
DENISE DAVIS
Council Member
JENNA GUZMAN-LOWERY
Council Member
MARIO SAUCEDO
Council Member
The City of Redlands supports AB 1772 (Ramos), which would require the Department of
Justice to conduct a study to determine the number of misdemeanor convictions for a
theft offense when property was taken from a retail business during the COVID-19 state
of emergency.
As you may know, retail theft continues to be a problem in nearly all California
communities. For example, commercial burglary is at the highest rate since 2oo8. In fact,
according to the PPIC, commercial burglary increased statewide since 2020, especially in
larger counties with an increase of 13% among 14 of the 15 largest counties. Rising theft is
impacting every corner of California, and city officials need additional tools to reduce
crime and improve the safety of their neighborhoods.
This bill would require the Department of Justice on January 1, 2026, to report to the
Legislature the number of misdemeanor convictions for retail theft during the Governor's
declared state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic. This would allow the
Legislature to identify the rate of convictions misdemeanor retail theft offenses during a
time related to a surge in theft rates.
While AB 1772 (Ramos) is important to continuing to make progress on retail theft, this
bill is only one part of a comprehensive solution that needs to include prevention,
enforcement, and supervision. Identifying the rate of theft in comparison to the rate of
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conviction is just one of the methods that can help solve this growing problem and make
our communities safer.
For these reasons, the City of Redlands supports AB 1772 (Ramos).
Sincerely,
Eddie Tejeda
Mayor
City of Redlands
CC: Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes
Assemblyman Greg Wallis
Laura Varela, Cal Cities Public Affairs Manager
Meg Desmond, League of California Cities, citylettersca cacities.org
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