Have CA laws allowed repeat smash and grab robberies?

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Mobs are getting more brazen, carrying out thefts as shoppers are out this holiday season.

So far, the Fresno area has only seen one major mob theft, with arrests made shortly after Ulta stores were targeted earlier this month.

District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp says it appears crooks are getting smarter about areas to target.

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“Criminals are not stupid,” said Smittcamp. “They know exactly where they can go to commit these types of crimes and not be held accountable. And if we don’t change laws and we don’t vote these district attorneys out, this is just gonna continue.”

She points to the District Attorney in San Francisco, facing recall, and the one in Los Angeles, who critics say is soft on crime.

She told Fox News the key to deterring these crimes is to get creative.

Fresno Police have increased patrols at shopping centers during "Operation Christmas Presence" and have turned to federal counterparts for help, when state laws lack teeth.

“If I were the San Francisco or Los Angeles DA, that would be the first call I would make, is to the U.S. Attorney’s office to prosecute these people federally,” said Smittcamp. “Because the laws in California are so weak that they don’t hold people accountable.”

Some lawmakers have tried to fix things.

Assemblyman Jim Cooper, a Democrat from Elk Grove and a former Sacramento Sheriff’s Captain, wrote Proposition 20, which voters soundly rejected last year.

Supporters say it would have fixed loopholes created by Proposition 47, making some theft-related crimes felonies once again, and even creating a new crime category for Organized Retail Theft.

State Senator Melissa Hurtado of Sanger was among those who endorsed Proposition 20.

“I think definitely you will probably start hearing some legislators and community members that are interested in coming together to put some other proposal like Proposition 20 from the previous year to try to make some changes and correct some of these issues that are these loopholes,” said Hurtado.

Governor Gavin Newsom supported Prop 47 and his predecessor, Jerry Brown, sponsored Prop 57.

Both are Democrats, but Hurtado says party shouldn’t matter and fellow democrats shouldn’t be targeted.

Ultimately, it was voters who had the final say.

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And those trying to fix things through Sacramento are facing an uphill battle, too, regardless of party.

“We can’t even get up a good proposal or moderate proposal through some of these public safety committees, so I feel frustrated,” said Hurtado.