Why an attempted theft changed my mind about California’s Prop. 36 | Opinion
There are some absolutes I got accustomed to in my former home state of Tennessee that are just not the reality in California. The state of homelessness in the Golden State is a complete 180 from what I’ve witnessed prior. A change in how we address the unhoused is urgently needed. Luckily we have Proposition 36.
Last November when Prop. 36 was on the California ballot, I was against its call for stiffer sentences for repeat offenders of petty theft and drug crimes on the premise that homeless people must not be constantly policed. I feared it would create a prison pipeline.
But as I’ve come to realize in my time here in California, the issue is a lot more nuanced. There are thousands of hard-working Californians who have had items stolen off their front porch, from their cars and even their person.
In conversations with locals, I have been advised to just roll down my car windows when parked so that someone doesn’t break my windows when they steal my belongings. Are we really to just allow this to be a normal occurrence?
My change of thought came on Sunday, after my electric scooter was almost stolen.
‘Get a better lock’
The center of a LeBron Hill Sunday consists of taking a run with my dog Pepper and afterwards getting groceries for the week. Recently I’ve been going to the Safeway on Alhambra Boulevard at the edge of East Sacramento.
This past Sunday I ventured to Safeway like usual and locked my e-scooter at the bike rack located right at the entrance of the store. I went through the door of the store, there stood a security guard standing and watching everyone come in and out. About 30 minutes later I came out with three bags of groceries. As I walked closer to my e-scooter, I noticed a man in a gray hoodie jump up and walk away from it. He had been outside the entire time, shimmying the chain lock to the other side of the scooter to get it free.
If I had been inside for just another minute, he would’ve stolen my e-scooter. And while I don’t know for sure that this man was homeless and stealing as a way of living, I have my strong suspicions.
Stunned from seeing a man almost steal my scooter, I just stood there groceries in hand as he walked away as if he did nothing wrong. I proceeded to go inside to ask the security guard about patrolling protocol, as I was frustrated that someone could just sit and attempt to steal something without a guard coming by.
“Honestly you need to get a better lock,” he said to me with a straight face. Funny enough, after I walked away he did proceed to go outside to patrol the area.
I am grateful that my e-scooter was not stolen, but if I hadn’t chose against going down the ice cream aisle, I might’ve been walking home, with nothing but this cold advice: get a better lock. My scooter cost $300 and sure maybe I could’ve bought another one, but no one should have to think about purchasing an entirely new mode of transportation when simply getting groceries.
Businesses like Safeway are much more interested in keeping their products safe than making sure cars don’t get broken into and e-scooters are stolen. They do not get a pass in their responsibility to at least make sure patrons who go to their establishment can leave in the transportation they came in.
Californians are stuck between a homelessness problem that has intensified by theft and businesses and corporations that don’t prioritize them.
Californians deserve a better answer
Proposition 36 took off in popularity because people in California want a different answer to repeat petty thievery and drug use from both professional crooks and the homeless. The frustration comes from incidents like mine on Sunday.
Every state has its vices, but a person stealing someone’s hard earned property is a problem and one that needs immediate action.
Business are completely inept to handle this issue, thus comes in the government. Voters understood this and passed Prop. 36. It was a sign that they are exhausted of the current climate and want a change. Hopefully this legislative year, Democrats will be open to funding it and giving Californians hope.
Because frankly they’re running out of it.
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
