Sincerely, I hope I’m not the only one in Marin struck by the bizarre rhetoric of California politicians rushing to talk tough on crime at year’s end.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed leads the league in this hypocrisy with this often repeated statement: “It is time that the reign of criminals who are destroying our city come to an end. And it comes to an end when we take the steps to be more aggressive with law enforcement and less tolerant of all the bullsh*t that has destroyed our city.”
She wants less tolerance of the “bullsh*t”?
You gotta love that u-turn given that Ms. Breed runs a city that is so under siege by crime that residents there have taken to leaving their car doors unlocked and their trunks wide open when parking on city streets. They do that so San Francisco’s free-range criminals can see there is nothing to steal in the car and, presumably, won’t break into the cars in search of stuff to steal.
Not to be outdone, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco and author of much of the “bullsh*t” tolerance that Breed suggests is now ruining the city, announced a $300 million funding plan to boost police efforts to combat retail theft.
The mayor and the governor know the tide is turning on crime. They each get a brownie point for at least recognizing that. But nothing is going to change until one idea is dumped: Misguided bail reform laws that fail to keep people in custody who need to be culled from the herd until justice is served.
The poster boy for this is Troy Davis. Be glad you never ran into him.
In 2017 and 2018, he was convicted for assault with a deadly weapon and robbery. He got out of prison and last summer was caught committing more crimes. He was released again because of “zero bail” policies.
Then in September a woman in Sacramento was raped and killed in her home. Her two dogs were also killed. Her home was set on fire.
The suspect? Troy Davis.
“None of these appalling crimes would likely have occurred had this person been behind bars where he belonged,” said Vern Pierson, president of the California District Attorneys Association.
Until we stop turning loose the Troy Davis’ of California, the residents and visitors of the state are bound to suffer the consequences of a mindless tolerance that prevents accountability and justice. Mayor Breed has the right word for that: It’s “bullsh*t.” And it must come to an end.
DOGS TEND TO BITE
The Bay Area News Group reports that the dogs on the Richmond police force bit citizens causing significant injuries 122 times over a six year period. The news organization reports that “Richmond’s canine squad violently apprehended more than 70 people — an average of one every month — from dangerous felons to petty thieves to people acting ‘suspicious.’”
Not sure if that’s good or bad, but I do know it’s good reporting.
SENIORS IN TROUBLE
I was saddened to read a note in the last “News & Views” of the Novato Senior Citizens Club from NSCC President Pat Castillo in which she reported that because of a lack of participation the organization may have to downsize to a social club only.
That would be a shame. Now is not the time for that with COVID-19 isolation stalking the county.
I hope the City of Novato can help. The loss of the NSCC would be tragic.
ONE MORE THING
– Pro tip: The phrase “don’t take this the wrong way” has a zero percent chance of success.
– Last Tuesday was the last 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century.
– They are working on new pants for old guys. They combine the comfort of Dockers and the protection of Depends. They are called Dry Dockers.
– What you say when you didn’t think you were gonna see a bridge but then you see one.
As we head into 2022, let’s avoid soreheads as best we can, be kind to all we meet, laugh freely and always question authority.
(Sherman Frederick is an award-winning journalist and publisher of Marin’s community newspapers — the Novato Advance, San Rafael News-Pointer, Mill Valley Herald, Ross Valley Reporter, Twin City Times and the Sausalito Marin Scope. He is co-founder of Battle Born Media, a news organization dedicated to the preservation of community newspapers. You can reach him by email at shermfrederick@gmail.com.)
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