LA DA Hochman touts Prop 36 success for deterring retail theft

LA DA says Prop 36 has showed success in decreasing crime

LA County DA Nathan Hochman touted the success of Prop 36 and how it helped combat retail crime.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hailed the success of Proposition 36 for deterring retail theft. 

What we know:

Hochman held a press conference Wednesday outside a 7-Eleven store on Olympic Blvd. that has been repeatedly targeted by flash-mobs and other robberies.

He also announced a campaign to distribute thousands of bright yellow stickers to be posted at businesses, warning potential thieves of the stepped-up criminal penalties for robberies.

Prop 36, which California voters passed in November, increased some shoplifting offenses from misdemeanors to felonies in an effort to crack down on robberies and burglaries. Hochman said the increased penalties serve as a warning to potential offenders.

What they're saying:

"Is it working? Has Proposition 36 actually resulted in more felony arrests? The answer is yes. Since Dec. 18, we have had over a thousand Proposition 36 arrests for thieves alone," Hochman said during the press conference. 

How LA County plans to crack down on retail theft

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says he's cracking down on retail crime and repeat offenders. Hochman says Proposition 36 has helped stop hold repeat offenders more accountable.

"Our goal is not to fill our prisons with these thieves. That would be the failure of efforts. Our goal is to deter these criminals from committing these crimes in the first place," he added. "And when I say victims, I don't mean just the stores and the store owners -- the quality of our life is degrading."

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The owner of the 7-Eleven store in the 8500 block of West Olympic Boulevard where Hochman made his remarks, echoed his sentiments saying retailers have been targeted by repeat offenders with no fear of reprisal.

"Communities have been targeted repeatedly by shoplifters -- not one- time offenders, but the same individuals coming back over and over knowing that there were no real consequences," Jawad Ursani told reporters. "My store was targeted not once but twice by a smash-and-grab by about over 50 teenagers and a repeat shoplifter who is now detained and will be held accountable by this D.A.'s Office as we speak."

One of the flash-mob robberies at Ursani's store occurred in September of last year, when dozens of teens on bicycles swarmed the location and ransacked the store.