Security footage captures four hooded men who stole $27,000 worth of laptops and other gadgets from the Apple Store in Fashion Fair Mall in Fresno in 2018. Screen capture from Apple Store Footage via YouTube.

Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp is leading the local push to qualify a measure for November’s ballot to change Proposition 47 in the face of increased retail and property crime in California.

Smittcamp has partnered with KMJ radio to host a drive-thru signature drive today (Friday, March 1) rain or shine at the station’s Radio City headquarters at Palm and Shaw avenues in Fresno. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the station’s parking lot.

Smittcamp appeared with a former Sacramento County district attorney on a GVWire program Wednesday, sharing that the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act has garnered about 500,000 signatures on the way to an 800,000-signature goal.

Backers have until April 23 to submit 546,651 valid signatures.

People will also be out at the River Park Farmers’ Market on Saturdays collecting signatures, Smittcamp said.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer is among the more than 30 mayors and local elected officials endorsing the act. It also has corporate support from major retailers including Walmart and Target.

In addition to cracking down on fentanyl, the measure seeks to harden the charges repeat drug and theft offenders face. Prop. 47, passed by California voters in 2014, lowered the threshold for felony theft to $950 in value. This measure would give judges discretion to give a felony charge to an offender with two prior theft convictions.

Smittcamp is also encouraging other businesses to host drive-thru signature events around town leading to the deadline next month.