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September 13, 2024 <br />Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers <br />20 Civic Center Plaza <br />Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br />ec omment(& Santa-ana. org <br />Via Email <br />RE: OPPOSE ITEM 21: Resolution in Support of Proposition 36 <br />Dear Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers, <br />Chispa urges you to vote NO on Item 21, the resolution supporting Proposition 36. Approving <br />this resolution will have harmful consequences for the City of Santa Ana's (City) most <br />vulnerable communities and roll back years of progress in criminal justice reform. Proposition <br />36's punitive approach will not only lead to increased incarceration but will disproportionately <br />affect communities of color and perpetuate racial inequities in our justice system. <br />Proposition 36, which seeks to undo the gains of Proposition 47, is a misguided measure that <br />emphasizes punishment over prevention. Proposition 47, passed by the voters in 2014, has saved <br />the state over $800 million', reduced racial disparitieS2, and directed savings toward crucial <br />services like drug treatment, mental health care, and homelessness prevention. The City has <br />directly benefited from Proposition 47's programs, with organizations like Project Kinship and <br />Neutral Ground providing essential re-entry services to help residents successfully reintegrate <br />into the community after incarceration.' These services are critical to reducing recidivism and <br />supporting public safety. <br />' Koseff, Alexei, Prop. 47's Impact on California's Criminal Justice System. KQED (2024), <br />2 Lofstrom, Magnus., Martin, Brandon., Raphael, Steven, Proposition 47's Impact on Racial Disparity in Criminal <br />Justice Outcomes. Public Policy Institute of California (2020), <br />hW2s://www.1212ic.or"/ <br />s Courtney, Leigh., Reimal, Emily., Peterson, Brynce, Urban Institute: Evaluation of Orange County's Proposition 47 <br />Grant -Related Services. Orange County Health Care Agency Report, Board of State and Community Corrections <br />(2019), https://www.bscc.ca.goyLU-content/unloads/Orange-Coun -Health-Care-Agency.ndf <br />