Study: Thefts Up In CA After Prop. 47.  The Public Policy Institute in California has released a study finding that theft-related crimes have increased in the golden state since the 2014 adoption of Proposition 47.   Don Thompson of the Associated Press reports that after the new law converted the crimes of drug possession, theft, shoplifting, identity theft, receiving stolen property, writing bad checks, and forgery, from felonies to misdemeanors the state has suffered a spike in some property crimes, particularly the burglarizing of vehicles.  San Francisco alone recorded over 30,000 auto burglaries last year.  While the study reports that recidivism is down, even the PPIC researchers were willing to admit that this might be because thieves are less likely to be arrested now that their crimes are low or no penalty misdemeanors.  As one probation officer observed, drug addicts "are stealing to support their habit," rather then getting treatment due to the reduced penalties.  According to a spokesperson for the Soros-funded Californians For Safety and Justice "the report shows that we are making progress."