California Residents Demand Action Against Rising Crime Amid Wildfires
California residents in the Bay Area are increasingly frustrated with rising crime rates and are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom for assistance as Los Angeles fights wildfires damaging communities.
As looting escalates in Southern California amidst fire evacuations, Newsom has proposed classifying looting in these zones as a felony. Following requests from prosecutors for stricter penalties, he stated, "Preying on people at their most vulnerable is despicable. These criminals are among the worst kinds."
Newsom emphasized, "Looting has never been legal here, and it will not be tolerated" while the state combats the ongoing fire crisis that started on January 7.
The governor has also requested the California National Guard and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to protect residents and properties affected by the fires.
State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones criticized the government's response to the wildfires and the rising crime, stating, "For too long, criminals have run rampant in Newsom’s California, and now we’re seeing the devastating consequences." He labeled the delay in National Guard deployment as a severe error.
Jones expressed frustration over actions taken, arguing that early National Guard involvement could have reduced the crime surge. "Thankfully, with Prop 36 enhancing penalties, we have stronger tools to hold these criminals accountable," he added.
Critics of Newsom, including Jones, have pointed out a disconnect between the governor's announcements and the real crime challenges faced by communities like Vallejo. Residents like Paula Conley are pushing for increased law enforcement presence amid what they call an "alarming increase in crime rates." Conley launched a petition for more police support in Vallejo due to severe understaffing in their local department.
Many residents shared similar sentiments on the petition, which has drawn close to 3,900 signatures. "How many more lives need to be lost or harmed before the governor takes action?" one resident questioned.
The governor's office rebutted claims of inadequate response, stating that the CHP has been deployed to enhance public safety in Vallejo and around the state. However, officials acknowledge that broader issues of local governance related to police staffing need to be addressed.
In response, San Francisco's new Mayor Daniel Lurie has promised improvements in public safety and plans to tackle rampant crime in the city through stringent measures. Meanwhile, Newsom’s office argues that California is experiencing historic lows in both violent and property crime.
