When Newsom Talks About Crime and Homelessness in California, You Can Be Sure He’s Not Telling the Truth

California’s Crime and Homelessness Challenges

California Governor Gavin Newsom has a talent for political display. With his smooth hair and polished rhetoric, he presents statistics that can distract from the real issues at hand. His approach to crime and homelessness seems more like a well-rehearsed performance than a genuine effort to address pressing concerns. In Shawn Ryan’s podcast from mid-July, part two of a marathon discussion, Newsom’s claims about crime and homelessness in California are scrutinized.

During the podcast, Newsom asserted that California has one of the lowest felony theft thresholds in the country, citing it as $950. However, he failed to provide context. For instance, in Texas, the felony theft threshold is significantly higher at $2,500, which raises questions about how effective these laws really are.

The reality in Texas is quite different. Shoplifting charges are pursued, and those caught with stolen items valued between $100 and $750 can face Class B misdemeanor charges, potentially resulting in up to 180 days in jail and fines reaching $2,000. Theft amounts exceeding $750 can escalate to Class A misdemeanors, carrying penalties of up to a year in prison and fines of $4,000.

In contrast, few individuals in California faced charges for theft under the $950 threshold between 2024 and 2024. This prompted a ballot initiative, Proposition 36, led by major retailers, that faced opposition from some criminal justice advocates concerned about the impact on minority communities.

Public frustration over crime has shown in voter approval for tougher measures, and Democrats began drafting legislation to respond to this. However, negotiations fell apart, and despite support for Proposition 36 from over 68% of voters, Newsom opposed it.

It’s worth noting that California has not significantly expanded prison capacity in nearly 15 years. So, even with a push for tougher crime measures, there’s limited ability to actually imprison small-time shoplifters. This raises a question: How “severe” can a felony threshold be if violators rarely face imprisonment?

Meanwhile, California grapples with a severe homelessness crisis, often linked by progressives to a lack of affordable housing. But it’s critical to recognize that a vast majority—around 76%—of homeless individuals also struggle with mental health issues. Studies highlight a higher incidence of mental illness and addiction among this population, a reality sometimes downplayed by homelessness advocates.

In the podcast, Newsom attempted to defend California by comparing it to Florida, claiming that sheltered homelessness rates are better in California than in parts of Florida. Yet, California still holds the highest homelessness rate per capita in the nation, with approximately four times the rate observed in Florida, which has seen its own increases in homelessness recently.

Ryan interjects, pointing out that California’s homeless numbers are indeed alarming. Newsom seems to embrace this statistic, attributing it to California’s high housing costs, which he calls the “original crime” driving the crisis.

However, this perspective oversimplifies the issue. The idea that housing alone can solve homelessness misses important factors, as leaving individuals with untreated mental health or addiction issues in homes can lead to significant problems.

Instead, a broad array of solutions is necessary. Scott Turner, the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, has shifted focus to aid nonprofits that encourage self-sufficiency, aiming for long-term success in addressing homelessness.

Ultimately, Newsom’s strategies for dealing with crime and homelessness lack a fundamental element present in effective policies: the understanding that personal responsibility is crucial to human prosperity.