Sheriff Jim Cooper Blasts Newsom Crime Policies as California Weighs $375 Million Prop 36 Funding
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 13
Sheriff Jim Cooper Blasts Newsom Crime Policies as California Weighs $375 Million Prop 36 Funding
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 13
Summary
Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper said California is putting criminals ahead of victims, arguing diversion and early-release policies are erasing accountability despite voter demands for tougher consequences.
Nearly 70% of voters backed Proposition 36 in 2024, but Cooper said the state has failed to fund it properly; while leaders cite $375 million in the budget, reports show only $50 million is earmarked for related court and pretrial services.
Cooper said expanded mental-health diversion could let repeat or violent offenders avoid prosecution and would dilute Prop 36, even after Newsom signed new guardrails for the program.
He also renewed calls to classify more felony domestic-violence crimes as violent felonies, saying lawmakers keep rejecting changes despite the severity of victims' injuries.
With about a month left for lawmakers to send bills to Newsom, Cooper's latest broadside extends his wider campaign against California parole, diversion and release policies that he says favor offenders over public safety.