“1,600 Felony Charges Filed Through Proposition 36” – Expresses Strong Commitment to Eliminating Koreatown Retail Theft
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman visited Radio Seoul broadcasting station on the 6th, stating that Proposition 36, passed by voters, has been highly effective in filing felony charges against thieves, and expressed his determination to eradicate retail theft in Koreatown.
During his visit to Radio Seoul on the 6th, LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman revealed in an interview with the news department that 1,600 people have been charged with felonies through Proposition 36, which was overwhelmingly passed by voters in the recent election.
DA Hochman stated that the days when people could steal items worth less than $950 without facing any consequences are now over, emphasizing that the message is being effectively delivered: anyone with a prior record who commits another crime will be charged with a felony, regardless of the theft amount.
Last week, DA Hochman visited Koreatown to announce a task force aimed at eliminating retail theft and explained that his office is distributing 10,000 window stickers to Korean business owners.
The window stickers emphasize that the businesses are under the protection of the LA County District Attorney’s Office, creating an effect that deters thieves from even approaching these establishments. He noted that in Koreatown, the Olympic Police Station is distributing the stickers, and other police stations throughout the county are also providing them.
While prosecuting criminals with heavy penalties helps reduce crime, Hochman explained that the goal is to create an atmosphere that prevents crimes from being committed in the first place. He added that the stickers are receiving considerable positive response from business owners in Koreatown.
DA Hochman shared that through extensive conversations with LA’s Korean community, he learned that what Koreans want is to walk the streets safely without worrying about robbery or hate crime victimization, and to be free from concerns about residential break-ins.
He also mentioned that prostitution activities on Western Avenue and open drug dealing on the streets are among the major problems pointed out by the Korean community.
Unlike during former LA County DA George Gascón’s tenure, cooperation between police and prosecutors is now working well, providing momentum for crime fighting efforts.
Regarding recent immigration enforcement in the LA area that has caused some residents to express distrust toward local law enforcement and judicial authorities, Hochman assured that neither LAPD nor the LA County DA’s Office asks about immigration status from crime victims or witnesses. He urged residents not to worry and to report crimes to police and prosecutors when victimized.
Radio Seoul Reporter Jung Yeon-ho
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