Opinion: Sheriff Jim McDonnell: Thanks to Prop. 47, Californians are less safe than they were a year ago

One year ago today, California voters adopted Proposition 47, changing drug possession and five other nonviolent felonies into misdemeanors. Proposition 47 was supposed to ease pressure on California's overflowing prisons and jails and open up funds for rehabilitation programs, along with education and victim services. But the state funds that were earmarked won't arrive until August 2016. Crime is up in many California communities. Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell says Prop. 47, though well-intended, is to blame.

We didn't set Prop. 47 up for success

We can no longer force addicts into drug treatment

Criminals can re-offend with minimal consequences

The public has spoken

We can't blame all rising crime on Prop. 47