Sacramento officials outline Prop 36 rollout, emphasizing treatment, enforcement and data needs

A panel of city and county leaders on Wednesday outlined how Sacramento will implement Proposition 36, a voter-approved measure that increases penalties for some theft and drug offenses while expanding opportunities for treatment.

The discussion brought together Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester, Sacramento County District Attorney Tin Ho, a county behavioral health manager and small-business and community reentry representatives to describe early operational steps, the size of the public-safety challenge and next steps for data and community outreach.

The measure, which took effect Dec. 18, changes charging and sentencing rules for some drug and theft offenses and creates new pathways for diversion and treatment. "I think this is a huge win for our community and for law enforcement," Chief Kathy Lester said, adding that the department has created quick-reference cards and training materials for patrol officers to apply the new law in the field.

Nut graf: Officials said the initial months of implementation focus on ensuring officers and prosecutors can apply the new law correctly, expanding targeted enforcement of prolific offenders and connecting eligible people to treatment, while acknowledging capacity constraints in jail processing and treatment beds that could limit short-term results.

Chief…