San Diego's District Attorney is hoping her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee will help pass a new national law against organized crime.
D-A Summer Stephan says law enforcement and prosecution of smash and grab, robberies, organized retail theft and home invasion attacks usually ends at the local level. However, during her testimony on Tuesday Stephan said many of these groups are operating nationwide and around the world.
“I believe that the [Combating Organized Retail Crime Act] would be a game-changer. [Despite] the 218 organized crime cases that our office has [prosecuted] in San Diego, we have not been able to break through to what is going on nationally. We know these groups are operating nationally and internationally … but the investigations stop at the local level," said Stephan.
The District Attorney says her office is in contact with the ranking members of the committee, and hopes to have the bill passed by the full Senate and approved by President Trump.