California Residents Call on Gov. Gavin Newsom to Send Help as Crime Surges and Wildfires Ravage State
California residents in the Bay Area are demanding more help from Governor Gavin Newsom as the state battles raging wildfires that have destroyed several communities and widespread looting has been on the rise. Looting has become a major issue in southern California as communities work to recover from the devastating fires. In response, Newsom has called for looting in fire evacuation zones to be a felony, with the governor stating that “preying on people at their most vulnerable is despicable, these criminals are among the worst kinds.”
State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones has slammed the governor’s response, saying that the delay in deploying the National Guard was a huge misstep and has only contributed to the chaos and looting. “For too long, criminals have run rampant in Newsom’s California, and now we’re seeing the devastating consequences,” Jones said. “From arsonists igniting fires to shameless looters preying on fire victims, this crime wave has only deepened the stress on our already overwhelmed communities.”
In the meantime, a community in Vallejo has started a petition to get help to combat the city’s growing crime problem, with nearly 3,900 signatures. Residents of Vallejo are begging for the deployment of more police officers to combat the issue, with many expressing concerns about the safety of their community.
California Assemblymen James Gallagher and David Tangipa have also weighed in on the issue, with Gallagher stating that Newsom’s efforts have failed to address the state’s crime problems. “Despite all of his splashy announcements about turning in CHP to help, crime continues to surge and Vallejo is just another community where this issue has reared its ugly head,” Gallagher said.
In response, Newsom’s office has reiterated their efforts to enhance public safety, stating that they have increased police presence in areas with high crime rates, including Vallejo. However, Assemblymen Gallagher and Tangipa argue that more needs to be done to address the state’s crime problems.
The situation in Vallejo is not the only one, with San Francisco also grappling with rising crime rates. New Mayor Daniel Lurie has promised to address the issue, vowing to declare a state of emergency over the fentanyl crisis, replenish the San Francisco Police Department, and get city employees to return to in-person work full-time.
