Creuzot began his leniency approach shortly after he was elected, announcing “On my agenda\u00a0is to not ask judges to send people to the penitentiary for technical violations of their probation<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 for instance not doing community service, not paying fines and fees.”<\/p>\n So adhering to the terms of one’s probation in Dallas County is now\u00a0optional\u00a0<\/strong>as well.<\/p>\n In a\u00a0Friday letter<\/a>, Creuzot expanded on his policies – adding that\u00a0first-time marijuana offenses or any drug possession cases involving less than .01 grams of a drug will not be prosecuted<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Creuzot said he\u2019ll dismiss many criminal trespass cases as well, charges he says are most often brought against the mentally ill and homeless.<\/p>\n He also said his office will no longer prosecute theft cases involving personal items worth less than $750, unless evidence shows it was for economic gain. –CBS DFW<\/i><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Dallas shop owners are\u00a0not happy.<\/strong>\u00a0Andrew Arterburn, owner of One Stop Express in Uptown, said that a shoplifter just stole $120 worth of laundry detergent on Thursday – and is not taking kindly to Creuzot’s new approach.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s a slap on the wrist. They go to jail, get a meal, get let go. And they\u2019re not going to be prosecuted at all for it,” said Arterburn.<\/p>\n The President of the National Black Police Association, Sgt. Sheldon Smith, said he worries it will lead to more crime.<\/p>\n \u201cIt opens the door for some people to think they can commit crimes,\u201d Sgt. Smith said.<\/p>\n Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown told CBS 11, her office will continue to enforce the laws as mandate by state legislation.\u00a0–CBS DFW<\/i><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n “I absolutely think it’s sending the wrong message,” said Dallas Police Association President Mike Mata. “That shop owner is going to take matters into his own hands, or he’s going to have to let $600 worth of merchandise walk out of his store, and I don’t think he’s going to be in business very long.”<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/zh-prod-1cc738ca-7d3b-4a72-b792-20bd8d8fa069.storage.googleapis.com\/s3fs-public\/styles\/inline_image_desktop\/public\/inline-images\/cry.jpg?itok=3wg7i73U)