From: Daniel O’Donnell
Subject: IMPORTANT – Email Vista City Council Supporting Prop 36 Funding Resolution
Good afternoon,
At the Vista City Council meeting tomorrow, I will be bringing forward a resolution urging the State of California to fully fund Proposition 36. I am asking community members who support this effort to submit a public comment to [email protected] in support of the resolution.
Proposition 36 was overwhelmingly approved by California voters to address two critical challenges facing our communities: retail theft and drug addiction. The measure restores accountability for repeat theft while also creating a “treatment-mandated felony” that allows individuals struggling with addiction to receive court-ordered treatment instead of incarceration.
Early results in San Diego County show promising outcomes. Since implementation in December 2024, downtown property crimes have decreased by about 23 percent. In addition, approximately 98 percent of eligible defendants are choosing treatment rather than jail, demonstrating that when treatment options are available, people overwhelmingly choose recovery.
However, counties are now being asked to implement this voter-approved program without sufficient funding from the state. While some funding has been allocated, experts estimate that significantly more resources are needed statewide to ensure treatment beds, court supervision, and recovery services are available.
If Proposition 36 is going to succeed as voters intended, the state must provide the resources necessary to support it.
If you support this effort, please consider submitting a public comment to [email protected] asking the Vista City Council to adopt the resolution urging the state to fully fund Proposition 36.
There is a sample letter attached to this email.
Please reach out with any questions.
Thank you for your engagement and for helping ensure our community has the tools needed to improve public safety while expanding access to treatment and recovery.
Kind regards,
Dan O’Donnell
**
Mayor and Council,
I urge the Vista City Council to adopt the resolution requesting that the State of California fully fund Proposition 36.
California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36 to address retail theft and drug addiction by restoring accountability while offering treatment instead of incarceration for those struggling with addiction.
Early results in San Diego County show this approach is working. Since implementation in December 2024, downtown property crimes have dropped about 23 percent, and roughly 98 percent of eligible defendants are choosing treatment rather than jail.
However, counties are being asked to implement this voter-approved program without adequate state funding. While some funds have been allocated, experts estimate hundreds of millions of dollars will be needed statewide to provide treatment beds, court supervision, and recovery services.
If California wants Proposition 36 to succeed, the state must fund it. I respectfully ask the Vista City Council to adopt this resolution and urge the state to provide the resources needed to implement the program as voters intended.
Sincerely,
(NAME)
(ADDRESS)
