00:00Los Angeles is taking a tougher stance on looting and theft amid ongoing protests tied to immigration
00:05enforcement. The shift comes after California voters rolled back Proposition 47, a law passed,
00:12in 2014 that had reclassified certain nonviolent thefts under $9.50 as misdemeanors. Now under
00:18Proposition 36, repeat offenders can face felony charges even if the stolen value is below that
00:24threshold. Legal experts note that the city's new conservative district attorney is charging
00:29suspects more aggressively, particularly those involved in group thefts and flash mob-style
00:35looting. This move follows widespread concern that lenient enforcement had fueled a rise in
00:41organized theft. During recent protests, looters hit major stores including Apple and Adidas,
00:47along with small local businesses. Security footage and eyewitness reports revealed chaotic scenes of
00:53smashed windows and mass theft. City officials say it's unclear whether all participants were
00:59protesting or simply exploiting the unrest. Mayor Karen Bass condemned the vandalism,
01:05emphasizing that it hurts communities rather than supports them.
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