"I am a child of god and my baby is too," said the mother. "And she didn't deserve this."
- Click here for information about Prop 2
- Click here for information about Prop 4
- Click here for information about Prop 5
- Click here for information about Prop 7
"I say to the persons who are at the ballot box: Do you want a safer community?" said Baca.
It comes with price. You find the numbers in your official voter information guide.
According to a non-partisan analysis, Prop. 6 mandates $965 million a year for law enforcement. The amount would grow over the next five years, plus, a potential capital outlay for prisons that could exceed $500 million.
Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi opposes Prop. 6.
"We've got some real serious funding issues. We have to set priorities. Most of this money is actually going to go for the prisons," said Garamendi.
Many unions oppose Prop. 6. Public employees struggle for state funding. Yet police would get a shield from the budget axe.
"That is going to pull resources down by mandate from here to eternity out of other programs for fire protection, healthcare, for teachers, nurses, programs like that that are important as well," said Dave Gillote, California Prof. Firefighters Union.
There's more than money in this measure. It includes dozens of changes in the criminal code. Among them:
- Gang members could get life in prison if convicted of a home robbery or carjacking.
- Recruiting a child under age 14 would add five years to a prison term.
- Possession of methamphetamine: automatic felony.
"The State of California, quite frankly, has learned in numerous ways how to squander the taxpayers' dollars," said Sheriff Baca. "This is one where the dollars will be put to good use."
Fighting gangs is a good use. Opponents agree on that. But they don't believe it is the only good use of funds needed by all who serve California communities.
- Get more L.A. breaking news, weather, traffic and sports
- Have a news tip? Send your tips, video, or pictures
