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Loomis council backs Prop. 36 after county DA says measure restores accountability on theft, fentanyl and repeat drug possession
Summary
Placer County District Attorney urged Loomis to support Proposition 36, which he said would reinstate penalties for repeat theft, increase accountability for large-scale fentanyl dealing and create treatment-mandated felony options for repeat possession; the council adopted a resolution supporting the measure.
The Loomis Town Council voted to adopt a resolution supporting California Proposition 36 after a presentation from the Placer County district attorney, who described the measure as restoring criminal-justice tools the office says were limited by Proposition 47.
District Attorney Geiger told the council Prop 36 has three principal goals: reinstate enhanced penalties for repeat thieves and high-dollar "smash-and-grab" thefts; create stiffer consequences for dealing large quantities of fentanyl and clarify liability when sale of fentanyl results in death; and establish a treatment‑mandated felony for people with repeated possession offenses so courts can require treatment with dismissal upon successful completion.
"Prop 36 reinstates penalties for repeat thieves," the DA told the council, adding it also "allows us to increase accountability" for fentanyl dealers and creates pathways to treatment for people with repeated possession convictions. He said Placer County has used available tools to pursue large fentanyl cases and that the measure would broaden prosecutorial options.
Members of the public—including small-business owners who described repeated retail thefts and residents who supported stronger penalties—spoke in favor of the resolution. Other council members asked that the resolution avoid overtly opinionated language; one member asked to remove a phrase framed as value judgment, while others said the document as drafted reflected public-safety concerns.
The council voted to adopt the resolution supporting Prop 36 (ayes recorded from Council members Cortez, Nisley, Cartwright, Ring and Mayor Youngblood). Council and members of the public said the measure is intended to curb repeated retail theft, improve accountability for fentanyl dealers and expand ability to get people into treatment.
