Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper is criticizing Governor Gavin Newsom over California’s crime policies, arguing that the state is putting criminals ahead of victims. In a recent interview, Cooper expressed frustration with the state’s approach to crime, saying that not enough is being done to address the issue despite voter demands for tougher consequences for repeat offenders.

Cooper’s Criticism

Cooper’s criticism centers on Proposition 36, a voter-approved initiative that increased penalties for repeat retail theft and certain drug crimes while allowing eligible offenders to have felony charges dismissed after completing court-ordered treatment. However, Cooper argues that the state has failed to provide the necessary funding to make the initiative successful, with only $50 million allocated for Proposition 36-related court and pretrial services out of a total of $375 million in the state budget.

Cooper also criticized California’s expanding mental health diversion system, warning that proposals to make more theft offenses eligible for diversion would undermine the initiative. He argued that some crimes are so shocking that offenders should not be eligible for mental health diversion, citing examples such as felony child abuse and crimes involving sexually violent predators.

The sheriff also renewed his criticism of California’s domestic violence laws, arguing that the state still refuses to classify many felony domestic violence offenses as violent felonies despite the devastating injuries suffered by victims. Cooper has been a vocal critic of California’s criminal justice policies, arguing that they have systematically reduced accountability for violent offenders.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.