Long Beach
3rd District

This week, I submitted a memorandum for the June 4 City Council meeting, co-authored by Councilmember Dr. Ricks-Oddie and Councilmember Zendejas, asking City Council to direct staff to report on the statewide proposals that address retail theft, drug addiction, and smash and grab crimes, and to provide recommendations on proposals the City can support. Please read the full proposal here (est. 10-minute read).

Long Beach is the 7^th largest city in California, and we need to amplify the voices of our residents who are unsatisfied with the current public health and safety crisis in our communities. While diversion programs, drug treatment, and other services are proven to work, these programs are underutilized and under-resourced. There is a desire throughout California to find a better balance between having compassion for people and having accountability for illegal activities.

Currently, punitive sentences are more attractive than treatment, and this has led to people not getting the help they need. Drug use, vandalism, and theft under $950 reduce the quality of life in our neighborhoods, and we are left trying to mitigate the impacts of a rehabilitation system that needs improvement.

In Los Angeles County, the typical misdemeanor sentence is 180 days, and policy states that people convicted and sentenced to 240 days or less are released immediately after being processed in court. This means nearly all those convicted of a misdemeanor are immediately released with no requirement for treatment or a diversion program. Now, just 71 of the 12,345 people in County jail are in custody for misdemeanor theft or drug possession.

The City of Long Beach is approving housing, increasing outreach, expanding services, investing in upstream solutions, and enforcing our laws. However, we can't change a system that merely asks people suffering from addiction who repeatedly commit nonviolent crimes if they want to start the lifelong fight to recovery or be released immediately to continue feeding their addiction.

There are several statewide initiatives proposed to address retail theft, drug addiction, and “smash and grab” crimes, and each proposal provides its own benefit. This Council item asks the City to look at the current statewide legislative initiatives addressing public health and safety, and recommend proposals the City can support.

Please read the full proposal here (est. 10-minute read).

About the Office of Councilmember Kristina Duggan

Elected in November 2022 to serve the residents of the 3rd District in Long Beach, Kristina is driven by her passion for community service, education, public safety, and the vitality of the local business community. As a Councilmember, Kristina is working to address issues most impacting the residents of the 3rd District: infrastructure, homelessness & public safety, and environmental concerns.

Kristina has been a proud resident living and working in the 3rd District of Long Beach for over 25 years. Kristina co-owns and operates Dr. Duggan & Associates, a successful local behavioral health center in the Belmont Heights area of Long Beach.

Currently, she and her husband, Matt, live in Belmont Shore with their daughter Shannon, who is currently attending the University of Hawaii, Manoa, and their son, Matthew, a high school junior and hockey player.