SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Three Democrats running for California governor are calling for criminal justice policies that focus on youth development and support for crime victims over tough-on-crime measures that increase incarceration.
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state Treasurer John Chiang spoke separately Tuesday at a conference in Sacramento organized by the left-leaning advocacy group Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice.
Newsom says he's publicly supported ballot measures to reduce sentences for some crimes, legalize marijuana, require background checks for ammunition sales and eliminate the death penalty.
Villaraigosa touted initiatives he advanced as LA mayor to focus on supporting young people who are at risk of joining gangs.
Chiang says the state should focus on educating children and addressing poverty to prevent crime.
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