California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Controversial Policies and Their Impact on Retail Theft in California

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been a subject of controversy since he took office in 2019. His policies, particularly those related to crime and law enforcement, have been a topic of heated debate. One of the most significant issues that have arisen from his administration is the rise in retail theft in California. In a leaked video, Newsom was seen discussing an incident where a store employee blamed him for the brazen theft they both witnessed.

The video, which was first shared on X by a reporter with The San Francisco Standard, showed a portion of a Zoom meeting with Newsom and other elected California officials. During the meeting, Newsom recalled an incident where he witnessed a man “just walking out” of a store without paying. When he asked the employee why they didn’t stop the man, the employee replied that they couldn’t because of Newsom’s policies.

Newsom explained that the employee said they stopped pursuing shoplifters “because of the governor.” The governor responded by saying, “We don’t stop them because of the governor. The governor lowered the threshold and there is no accountability.” After the worker attributed the rise in brazen crime to Newsom lowering the “threshold” for serious crimes, the governor pushed back, stating, “That’s just not true. We have the tenth toughest in America– look it up, no one gives a d—.”

Despite Newsom’s claims, retail theft per capita in California is 17.0% lower than the average among states. However, this statistic is misleading as it does not account for population. When adjusted for population, California’s retail theft rate is significantly higher than the national average.

Newsom’s policies, particularly his decision to eliminate cash bail, have been criticized for contributing to the rise in retail theft. Critics argue that the elimination of cash bail has led to a decrease in accountability for shoplifters, making it easier for them to commit crimes without fear of consequences.

The impact of Newsom’s policies on retail theft in California has been significant. According to a report by the Los Angeles Police Department, retail theft in the city increased by 30% in 2023 compared to the previous year. The report also noted that many retailers have been forced to close their stores due to the high rate of theft.

The issue of retail theft in California is not limited to urban areas. Rural communities have also been affected. In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Newsom acknowledged the issue, stating, “Retail theft is a problem in California, and we are taking action to address it. We have invested $1.1 billion to fight crime, hire more police, and improve public safety.”

However, some critics argue that Newsom’s investment in public safety is not enough. They point to the high cost of living in California and the state’s high taxes as contributing factors to the rise in retail theft.

The controversy surrounding Newsom’s policies and their impact on retail theft in California is not likely to go away anytime soon. As the issue continues to affect businesses and communities across the state, the debate over the role of government in addressing crime and law enforcement is sure to continue.

In conclusion, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies, particularly those related to crime and law enforcement, have been a topic of controversy since he took office in 2019. The rise in retail theft in California, which has been attributed to his administration, has been a significant issue. Despite Newsom’s claims that retail theft per capita in California is lower than the average among states, the reality is that California’s retail theft rate, when adjusted for population, is significantly higher than the national average. Newsom’s decision to eliminate cash bail has been criticized for contributing to the rise in retail theft, and the issue has had a significant impact on businesses and communities across the state. The debate over the role of government in addressing crime and law enforcement is sure to continue as the issue of retail theft in California persists.