Sunday, May 07, 2023

Similar abortion/marijuana/"cite-and-release" combo-scams coming to most US cities soon?-----San Antonio Prop A campaign centers on crime, abortion - Axios San Antonio

San Antonio Prop A campaign centers on crime, abortion - Axios San Antonio

Catch up fast: Proposition A would amend the city charter to:

  • Prevent officers from investigating abortions. (Illegal in TX)
  • Halt citations and arrests for low-level marijuana possession. (Illegal in TX)
  • Ban police chokeholds and no-knock warrants.
  • Expand the city's cite-and-release policy to direct officers to cite, not arrest, people for certain nonviolent misdemeanor offenses, including some theft offenses.
  • Create a justice director position for the city, a person who hasn't worked in law enforcement and would oversee criminal justice policies...

The other side: The police union and local business leaders oppose the measure. They have focused on the cite-and-release expansion, not the abortion component, saying it will increase crime by emboldening people who won't be arrested.

  • The cite-and-release expansion includes theft under $750 and graffiti damages less than $2,500. Opponents say small businesses would be the victims.

Zoom out: Proposition A opposition taps into voters' crime fears. It's a similar strategy that candidates used in the Chicago mayoral race this year.

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