It's been nearly 10 years since Proposition 47 was passed in California, reclassifying some drug possession and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. The idea was to thin out overcrowded prisons and save space for more serious crimes, spurred on by a desire for criminal justice reform in the state.
But now, with a decade of data to reflect on, the long-term effects of Prop 47 are becoming clearer, and with a growing focus on improving public safety and fighting theft, taxpayers and lawmakers alike are paying attention to the findings.
For a closer look, KCBS Radio anchors Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart were joined by Magnus Lofstrom, policy director of criminal justice at the Public Policy Institute of California. He's one of the authors of a new study analyzing how crime in California has been affected by Prop 47 and the pandemic.