HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES NO 150-2020RESOLUTION NO. 1 ® ®�
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BAKERSFIELD SUPPORTING PROPOSITION 20: THE
REDUCING CRIME AND KEEPING CALIFORNIA SAFE ACT
RECITALS
WHEREAS, protecting every person in our state, including our most
vulnerable children, from violent crime is � of the utmost importance. Murderers,
rapists, child molesters, and other violent criminals should not be released early
from prison; and
WHEREAS, recent changes to parole laws allowed the early release of
dangerous criminals by the law's failure to define certain crimes as "violent." These
changes allowed individuals convicted of sex trafficking of children, rape of an
unconscious person, felony assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a police
officer or firefighter, and felony domestic violence to be considered "nonviolent
offenders"; and
WHEREAS, as a result, these so-called "non-violent" offenders are eligible for
early release from prison after serving only a fraction of the sentence ordered by
a judge; and
WHEREAS, a total of 33 of the state's 58 counties saw increases in their
violent crime rates in 2017; and
WHEREAS, this measure reforms the law so felons who violate the terms of
their release can be brought back to court and held accountable for such
violations; and
WHEREAS, nothing in this act is intended to create additional "strike" offenses
which would increase the state prison population, nor is it intended to affect the
ability of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to award
educational and merit credits; and
WHEREAS, recent changes to California law allow individuals who steal
repeatedly to face few consequences, regardless of their criminal record or how
many times they steal; and
ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, grocery store operators around the state have seen
unprecedented increases in the amount of losses associated with shoplifting in
their stores, with some reporting up to 150% increases in these losses; and
WHEREAS, shoplifting incidents have started to escalate in such a manner
that have endangered innocent customers and employees; and
WHEREAS, since 2014, the total value of stolen property has increased every
year. In 2018, the total value of stolen property in California was 32% higher than
the total in 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bakersfield, as well as cities across the Country, have
felt the strain of uncertain local revenue streams due to the onset of the COVID-
19 pandemic, yet remain committed to providing quality public safety services,
#1 of the City's 8 City Council Goals; and
WHEREAS, the passage of the Proposition 20 aims to improve the law to
assist law enforcement in carrying out their sworn duties and the City of Bakersfield
supports measures that aim to assist our law enforcement and bolsters security for
our local business community.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of
Bakersfield as follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct.
2. The City Council hereby confirms its support for Proposition 20.
3. The Mayor is hereby authorized to send a letter of support and a copy
of this resolution to the League of California Cities.
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ORIGINAL
HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted, by the
Council of the City of Bakersfield at a regular meeting thereof held on OCT 2,112020
by the following vote: J J J ✓ ✓
AYES' COUNCIL MEMBER RIVER/A, GONZALES, WEIR, SMITH, FREEMAN, SULLIVAN, PARLIER
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBER NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER NONE
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JULIE DRIMAKIS, CMC
CITY CLERK and Ex Officio
APPROVED: OCT 2.
1 2020 Clerk of the Council of the City of Bakersfield
By b
KAREN GOH
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIRGINIA GENNARO
City Attorney
By % � r��
JOSHUA RUDNICK
Deputy City Attorney