With just 26 days until election day, a massive campaign donation has been made to bolster efforts to pass California Prop. 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.
A group of contributors comprised of the 7-11 Corporation and hundreds of franchise owners came up with 1 million dollars to donate in hopes that the proposition will bring a new level of accountability for shoplifters and flash mob offenders.
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During a news conference Thursday, more than a dozen franchise owners stood in front of a 7-11 on Olympic Blvd that was hit by flash mobs earlier this year and has seen consistent shoplifting by drug addicts on a daily basis.
KNX News' Pete Demetriou spoke with the store's owner, Jawad Ursani, who said, "The flash mobs are a big deal, the grab-and-go, but we also encounter repeat offenders. They come in, they'll steal $20 to $30 at a time and come 2 to 3 times a day, and they believe, oh, it's less than $950, so I will not be prosecuted."
Store owners and leaders from the Association of California Contract Cities are convinced that if the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act passes, It will mark a sea change of accountability for criminal acts that will stop not only flash mobs but consistent shoplifting by providing paths for offenders to get drug treatment and jobs which will keep them out of the prison system.
Randy Quinn, Senior Vice President of 7-11 Inc., said, "We're doing it for the good of communities, for the good of businesses, and ultimately the good of consumers."
He said that all the added expenses that come from these crimes are ultimately passed on to the customer.
Recent polling show support for the measure in the low to mid 70% among likely voters.
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