Pulling back the curtain: A look at the district attorney’s failure to implement Proposition 36

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 3, 2025) — Words have consequences. Last month, a car was backed through the front doors of the CVS in Lafayette to steal the ATM. Multiple cars fled the scene as law enforcement arrived and they were pursued to the Caldecott Tunnel into Alameda County.

A dangerous high-speed pursuit of a wanted car through the streets of Lafayette resulted in the arrest of a man from San Francisco. Later that week, customers and employees in a consignment store were pepper-sprayed, and the robbers fled with $20,000 in stolen merchandise toward the Caldecott Tunnel.

What has caused this troubling trend of criminals from Alameda County and San Francisco coming into Contra Costa to commit crimes?

The progressive district attorneys in San Francisco and Alameda Counties have been recalled by the voters and replaced by district attorneys who publicly prioritize the enforcement of our laws while progressive Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton has publicly opposed, and failed to enforce, the laws created by the clear mandate of the voters to restore public safety.

With impressive unity toward our shared goal of increasing public safety and reducing crime, 70% of Contra Costa voters passed Proposition 36 and restored felony accountability for theft and drug crimes.

In stark contrast to the will of Contra Costa voters, Becton publicly opposed Proposition 36 with her name appearing at the top of the opposition published in the state’s official voter information guide.

What has been the actual impact of the passage of Proposition 36 in Contra Costa County?

Proposition 36 passed in Contra Costa by one of the highest percentage rates in the state, yet a judicial council state-wide analysis of the post-Proposition 36 filing of felony theft and drug charges found that Contra Costa ranked one of the lowest in the state. It was 55th out of the 58 counties in the state, filing just 16% of the state-wide felony drug cases.

Contrary to the will of the voters, it appears Becton’s public opposition of Proposition 36 has carried over into her implementation in Contra Costa County.

Recently, an SUV was backed through a storefront in Concord causing over $20,000 in damage. This was the sixth time in 18 months the store was targeted by thieves.

This lawlessness must end.

It is time Becton is held accountable and required to do the job she was elected to do – enforce our laws.