Here are California's new 6 laws aimed at cracking down on crime – NBC Los Angeles

As countless images and videos of violent retail thefts, fatal crashes on the Pacific Coast Highway and mass shootings in other parts of the country shocked many Californians in recent years, some of the bills signed last month by Gov. Gavin Newsom appear to raise public safety concerns to clear out.

Here are six new laws aimed at reducing crime across the Golden State.

Tougher penalties for robbery

A new law targets large-scale thefts, including sledgehammer crimes, flash mob attacks and robberies.

Prosecutors must again impose tougher penalties for people who damage or destroy property worth more than $50,000 as part of a crime.

A similar law expired in 2018. The new law will expire in 2030.

While shoplifting is a growing problem, large-scale thefts in which groups of individuals brazenly barge into stores and grab merchandise have become a crisis in California and elsewhere in recent years. Such crimes, often captured on video and posted on social media, have brought particular attention to the state's retail theft problem.

The new law is part of a bipartisan legislative package of about a dozen bills aimed at cracking down on theft, making it easier to prosecute repeat shoplifters and car thieves and increasing penalties for those who run professional resale schemes.

gun control

People convicted of animal cruelty are banned from owning a firearm for at least 10 years under the Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2024.

Cruelty to animals includes maliciously and intentionally mutilating, mutilating, torturing, or wounding an animal, or maliciously or intentionally killing an animal.

Advocates, including the California District Attorneys' Association, said the law is “urgently needed” because violence against animals and violence against people are linked.

Riverside State Sen. Richard Roth and Burbank State Sen. Anthony Portantino, who originally proposed the bill, cited a study on domestic violence that showed the vast majority of women in abusive relationships reported it their animals were threatened, injured or killed by their tormentors.

PCH speed cameras

The city of Malibu is allowed to install up to five speed cameras on a dangerous stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Among the 60 people who have died from PCH in the past 15 years were four Pepperdine University students who were fatally struck in October 2023.

The new law allows automatic speed cameras to be installed along the 21-mile stretch of road.

The law comes into force in January 2025.

Forensic Services

The California Department of Justice can continue to provide forensic DNA services by extending funding for Prop 69, the DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved Crime and Innocence Protection Act, passed by voters in 2004.

The new law will also extend the expiration date for Prop 69.

At the same time, fines continue to be used to fund crime-solving DNA programs at the state Department of Corrections and local law enforcement agencies.

Domestic violence

Newsom's signing of a bipartisan legislative package means the state will create a compensation fund for victims of domestic violence while forcing prompt processing of requests for restraining orders.

Newsom's office said the new law will help survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives by providing them with financial assistance through the restitution fund.

Fines and fees from white-collar criminals go to the Compensation Fund for Victims of Domestic Violence.

As another way to protect victims, California will also require automakers to protect drivers' privacy.

On the one hand, drivers can stop remote access to their cars, preventing perpetrators from stalking their victims and controlling their vehicles.

Advertising to minors

The penalty for offering or buying sex from minors under 16 will be increased to a felony.

Current state law limits the penalties for soliciting a minor to a felony. The new law not only makes it a felony if victims are under 16, but also allows prosecutors to charge repeat offenders of a crime if victims are at least 16 years old.

But California's legislation doesn't go as far as laws in other states. In Texas, for example, an adult would be charged with a felony for soliciting a minor under 17 and could face harsher penalties if the victim was under 14.

Release of sex offenders

When the state decided last month to release a sexually violent predator known as the “Pillowcase Rapist” in Southern California's Antelope Valley, community members, police officers and political leaders expressed concern and outrage.

“While I understand that the state conducts a comprehensive study and evaluation before proposing a site, nothing replaces the real perspectives that only community members can provide. “I want to make sure my constituents stay informed about this process and have every opportunity to comment on this decision,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Katheryne Barger, who represents the Antelope Valley area.

The release of sexually violent offenders is more common in rural communities across the state, often without involving local authorities in the decision-making process.

Now a new law that is intended to increase transparency in the release of criminals is intended to ensure that law enforcement authorities are better informed and involved in the placement.

The law also promises to provide more information about criminals and give communities more time to prepare.