California voters delivered a surprising rebuke to progressive policies in the 2024 election, overwhelmingly passing Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, with more than 70% of the vote.

The measure, which took effect on Dec. 18, reverses key elements of Proposition 47 from 2014 by increasing penalties for certain crimes, including theft and drug possession.

The passage of Prop 36 also coincided with the ousting of progressive Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, who was backed by billionaire George Soros.

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Gascón’s departure and the success of Prop 36 highlight growing frustration among Californians over issues of crime and public safety.

Proposition 36 allows felony charges to be filed against individuals caught possessing specific drugs or committing thefts valued under $950—offenses that Prop 47 had downgraded to misdemeanors.

The measure also provides the authority to enforce stricter penalties, including longer jail sentences, for repeat offenders.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a strong supporter of Prop 36, believes the changes will address significant issues plaguing the state, including theft, homelessness, and drug addiction.

“We’re making theft a felony again,” Bianco said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Being safe is not a Republican or Democrat issue. Being safe is a human issue.”

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Repeat shoplifters in California learn the hard way that Prop. 36 is now in effect.

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Bianco added that the proposition provides tools to hold individuals accountable and to compel those struggling with drug addiction into rehabilitation.

“Most of our homeless problem is drug addiction,” Bianco explained. “Drug-addicted psychosis causes this mental illness that leads to most of the people that we deal with in the homeless crisis.”

The business community has also expressed strong support for Prop 36.

Bob Larkin, vice president of retail customers at security firm Allied Universal, stated that the measure could positively impact the safety of residents, employees, and businesses across the state.

“Over the past decade, California has encountered a number of challenges, including increases in crime and substance abuse,” Larkin said. “Prop 36 gives businesses and communities effective tools to hold individuals accountable.”

Larkin noted that major businesses and organizations worked together to support the measure, emphasizing its potential to reverse the adverse effects of rising crime on California’s economy and quality of life.

California criminal defense attorney Julia Jayne acknowledged the shift in public sentiment reflected in the passage of Prop 36.

“The post-COVID years left many citizens with the feeling that crime was getting out of control,” Jayne said. “This measure reflects a shift in California overall, where district attorneys have been recalled, and citizens are voting for harsher penalties for criminal conduct.”

However, Jayne also pointed to concerns about the potential increase in prison populations and questioned whether the long-term effects of the proposition would benefit the state.

Zack Seyun, founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based mental health platform Cartha AI, highlighted the complexity of Prop 36’s impact.

“While this proposition brings a necessary return to punishing thieves and drug users more harshly, it also raises concerns about the societal cost of higher incarceration rates,” Seyun said.

Seyun expressed hope that the changes would reduce crime but cautioned about the strain on local resources.

“The overwhelming support for Prop 36 speaks to the abundant public sentiment around crime and the perceived lack of adequate safety measures,” he added.

The strong approval for Prop 36 and the rejection of Gascón reflect a broader shift in California politics, with voters signaling a demand for stricter accountability and increased safety measures.

As the state implements the new policies, debates over their effectiveness and consequences are likely to continue, especially in areas grappling with crime, homelessness, and public safety concerns.