Due to recent events such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the death of George Floyd, there has been a huge public outcry and upset over what many perceive as injustices against minorities at the hands of police departments.
In response to this public outcry, politicians have essentially launched an experiment aimed at making things more fair for minority groups by enacting legislation that is proving to be harmful to Los Angeles and California at large. This experiment has failed, and politicians need to wake up to the fact that being perceived as pro-criminal is harming California. Significant changes need to take place to protect residents.
Anti-Police and Pro-Criminal
Since the death of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, many major cities in the United States have joined the anti-police sentiment. Politicians have decided that to appease the public, they will strip police of their funding and increase benefits for criminals. However, defunding the police has proven to be a huge mistake, leading to significant increases in crime rates across the country, particularly in urban centers like Los Angeles.
Adding to California’s woes is the fact that the current governor, Gavin Newsom, has not only supported defunding the police but has also implemented dangerous legislation that continually puts everyday citizens at risk of crime and violence. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom made the controversial decision to release a large number of criminals from jail due to safety concerns. Approximately 175,000 criminals who would have otherwise remained incarcerated were set free. This, coupled with the movement to defund the police, has made the state increasingly pro-criminal. Newsom later released many hardcore criminals in a second release. In addition, he has been closing jails in California. Newsom is also responsible for bringing a Pro Criminal District Attorney, Geroge Gascon, to Los Angeles after Gascon destroyed law and order in San Francisco. Gascon refuses to prosecute thousands of crimes in Los Angeles.
As a result of public and political responses, police officers find themselves less able to perform their duties confidently. Not only do they lack the necessary resources and personnel, but they also fear using force due to potential national scrutiny. For example, a recent incident involved a man in a wheelchair pulling a gun on the police, resulting in his death. However, the media coverage only highlighted his disability, omitting the fact that he had threatened the police with a firearm. Such biased reporting is widespread across the United States, leaving police officers hesitant to carry out their responsibilities for fear of attracting mass media attention and public scorn. LAPD is down over 1000 Police Officers, and the LA County Sheriff is down over 1200 Deputies. It will take years to rebuild both organizations.
Dangerous Legislation
California has not only become increasingly pro-criminal and anti-police but has also introduced some dangerous legislation in the form of Propositions 47 and 57, and California has become a no-bail state.
Prop 47 means that criminals can essentially steal up to $950, and all they will receive is a ticket from the police. Consequently, criminals no longer fear jail time for burglaries and thefts, increasing their confidence in their criminal activities. Furthermore, in an attempt to appear ‘woke’ and supportive of offenders, the Pro Criminal District Attorney George Gascon refuses to prosecute most cases, with only 43% being prosecuted recently. These factors have culminated in Los Angeles becoming the number one retail theft city in the United States, causing suffering for small and large businesses and making shoppers feel unsafe in busy shopping districts. Thousands of companies have closed or moved out of California. Los Angeles has become the number one retail theft city in the United States.
Additionally, Prop 57 was developed to let criminals out of jail faster. A bill to reward criminals in jail to get them out quicker and back on the streets to possibly commit more crimes.
Consequently, these criminals are emboldened and continue committing crimes without the fear of incarceration or having to return due to their bail or bond being paid. This phenomenon is not limited to California; it also happens in many other urban areas. For instance, in New York City, a police officer was recently killed by two individuals with around 20 previous crimes. Criminals now believe they can evade consequences and are becoming increasingly empowered and violent as a result.
Moreover, there are efforts to make it challenging to conduct a full background check on future employees, limiting the background check to only the last seven years. While this may seem minor, it poses a risk for employers, especially those hiring armed security guards or law enforcement personnel. Employers need assurance that individuals are not involved in deadly force incidents and will not pose liabilities to their company or clients. By restricting background checks, the state actively makes it more difficult and dangerous for employers to ensure credibility and protection.
Considering the early release of more than 175,000 criminals and the empowerment brought by No bail, Propositions 47 and 57, it is evident that California’s stance is increasingly pro-criminal, leading to dire crime statistics as a result of this enormous failing pro-criminal experiment.
Illegal Immigration and Crime Rates
Another significant challenge facing the state of California is the influx of illegal immigrants. California incentivizes their arrival by offering numerous free perks and services. This influx not only drives up the crime rate but also exacerbates the homelessness crisis, making Los Angeles and California the epicenter of the worst homelessness problem in the entire United States.
Politicians further obscure facts and figures by failing to separate crimes committed by illegal immigrants from overall crime statistics. This lack of distinction makes it impossible to gauge the exact contribution of illegal immigration to California’s crime problem. Additionally, the state has ceased releasing mugshots in the same expedient and public manner as before, which provided transparency to the public regarding perpetrators of crimes. This shift aims to obscure the identifiable link between lax immigration laws and the rising crime rate, depriving residents of crucial information.
Moreover, the state is now attempting to go a step further by covering all legal fees for illegal immigrants who commit crimes. This demonstrates the extent to which pro-criminal politicians are willing to prioritize the interests of illegal immigrants over those of their own citizens.
When combined with dangerous legislation and the defunding of the police, criminals are emboldened and empowered to an unprecedented degree. Illegal immigration compounds these challenges, making it even more difficult for law enforcement to address. California’s pro-criminal experimental approach has failed, necessitating a reassessment of policies to prioritize the safety of its citizens once again.
