Make no mistake – the looting and smash and grab crime taking place in California is being seen around the country. It’s in the news everywhere, and it leaves people inside and outside California asking: Why is this happening?
The question is a natural one. How could a state which boasts so much prosperity become as unsafe as a third world country?
The answer is simple: It is human nature.
Criminals in California understand the laws better than the politicians who pass those laws.
If you allow criminals to get away with stealing from a Walgreens or CVS, why wouldn’t they move up to from stealing from higher-end stores? They think why stop at CVS when you can steal from Nordstrom?
The truly shocking news is that Governor Gavin Newsom seems surprised at what is happening.
Someone needs to tell the Governor that he supported lowering the charges and penalties for many offenses, including reducing property and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors (Prop. 47 and 57). Democrats have supported eliminating the bail system.
What is happening is a result of the laws and policies supported and passed into law by our Governor and Legislature.
And then we have District Attorneys who don’t want to prosecute for certain crimes.
People need to be held accountable for what they do. Will they be?
That answer is also simple: No. In Los Angeles 14 out 14 people arrested for violent smash and grabs are still on the streets. Because of the laws on bail, every one of them is out free to do it again, or worse.
You reap what you sow. California has moved radically left in handling crime thanks to our Governor and District Attorneys and Attorney General and state legislators. The result is a state where lawlessness runs rampant with no consequences. And it doesn’t look like it will get better anytime soon.
Mentioned Links:
Officers have begun calling those people ‘frequent fliers,’ offenders who know the specifics of Prop 47 and how to use it to their advantage. The thief in San Bernardino County had been caught shoplifting with his calculator, which he said he used to make sure he never stole the equivalent of $950 or more. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/national/2015/10/10/prop47/
Gov. Newsom redirects Highway Patrol to Stop Smash and Grab: https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/11/30/gov-newsom-enlists-california-highway-patrol-to-help-stop-smash-and-grab-retail-robb
