Proposition 47
Specified theft and drug offenses shifted from felonies to misdemeanors, with exceptions for people with certain serious prior convictions.
Source: California LAOA safer California is a choice
OUR COMMUNITIESDESERVE BETTER.
SAFER STREETS. STRONGER NEIGHBORHOODS.
01 / THE CHOICE
California families should be able to walk their blocks, shop locally, and send their children to school with confidence. Public safety policy must put victims and communities first.
What changed in California
THE COST OF WEAKER ACCOUNTABILITY
IS FELT CLOSE TO HOME.
Proposition 47 reclassified several lower-level drug and property crimes as misdemeanors in 2014. The change reduced incarceration and changed how some theft offenses were handled. Research found that lower property-crime clearance rates associated with the reform contributed to a modest rise in some property crime during its first two years.
Behind each statistic is a local business, a damaged car, or a resident wondering whether a report will lead to action. California voters changed parts of this framework with Proposition 36 in 2024. Now state and local leaders must use available tools, measure what works, and keep victims at the center of the response.
THE EVIDENCE IN CONTEXT
Larceny divergence
California's larceny-rate increase immediately after Proposition 47 was 9% larger than in similar states, according to research summarized by the LAO.
Source: California LAOProposition 36
Voters restored felony options for some repeat theft and drug offenses and created a treatment-focused process for eligible repeat drug offenses.
Source: California LAOThe strongest causal findings concern property crime. PPIC did not find convincing evidence that Proposition 47 caused an increase in violent crime. Read the full research
SAFE STREETS REQUIRE REAL ACCOUNTABILITY.
The consequences of early release
END ELDER PAROLE FOR VIOLENT AND SERIAL SEX OFFENDERS.
California's Elderly Parole Program allowed parole consideration at age 50 after 20 years in prison. The cases of David Allen Funston and Gregory Vogelsang show why Safer Communities California calls for an end to this pathway for people convicted of violent or serial sexual offenses against children.
THE LAW NOW
AB 2727, signed in September 2026, raises the elderly-parole threshold for specified serious sexual offenses to age 65 and 25 years served, with eligibility dates recalculated beginning January 1, 2027. It still permits parole consideration for those offenses after that threshold. Read the current law
01 / THE RECORD16 COUNTS
DAVID ALLEN
FUNSTON
Before incarceration: The Sacramento County District Attorney lists 16 counts involving child molestation, sexual assault and kidnapping. Its case summary describes his kidnapping and forcible sexual assault of a 5-year-old girl and sexual assault of a 4-year-old boy. His youngest victim was a 3-year-old girl whom he sexually assaulted. He received three consecutive terms of 25 years to life.
Elder parole: The Board found him suitable in 2025 and reaffirmed that decision in February 2026. On his scheduled release date, CDCR transferred him to local law enforcement on a new warrant.
02 / THE RECORD27 COUNTS
GREGORY
VOGELSANG
Before incarceration: He was convicted of 27 child sexual assault counts, including kidnapping for the purpose of molestation and using force and violence. The Sacramento County District Attorney reports that he molested five boys ages 5 to 11 in the 1990s and kidnapped one of them. He was sentenced to 355 years to life.
Elder parole: He received a parole grant in November 2025. The Board of Parole Hearings rescinded that grant on June 26, 2026.
Make the commitment. Ask state and local candidates to oppose elderly parole for incarcerated violent and serial sex offenders.
SIGN THE SAFER COMMUNITIES PLEDGEA commitment candidates can make
SIGN THE
SAFER COMMUNITIES
PLEDGE.
State and local candidates can make a clear commitment to the people they seek to serve.
THE PLEDGE01 / 04
- 01 Hold repeat offenders accountable.
- 02 Pair treatment with accountability.
- 03 Protect neighborhoods and schools from violent sexual predators
- 04 Stand with victims and local communities.
Fill out and sign the PDF on your device, or print it and sign by hand.