California Democrats vulnerable after Schiff, LA mayor victims of crime: ‘If they’re not safe, who is?’

Democrats Vulnerable in California as Crime Issue Grows

Democrats could be more vulnerable in California with the growing crime issue plaguing even the state’s most notable lawmakers.

Concerns about Crime Ahead of November Election

The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that some political strategists are noting how voters are becoming more concerned about crime ahead of the November election. The issue apparently grew after both California Senate candidate Rep. Adam Schiff and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were victims of robbery and burglary, respectfully.

“Voters are thinking: You’ve got to be kidding me,” Darry Sragow, a longtime Democratic strategist, told the L.A. Times. “Adam Schiff isn’t safe, Karen Bass isn’t safe — if they’re not safe, who is?”

Rising crime could affect the more vulnerable swing districts in California, strategists warned.

Crime as a Top Issue for Voters

Though the report called the crimes “ready-made fodder for Republican critics who often lambast California’s approach to public safety,” Mark Baldassare, the survey director of the Public Policy Institute of California, acknowledged that crime is “definitely one of the top issues on voters’ minds right now.”

Baldassare’s own research found that between December 2023 and February, likely voters considering crime as their most important issue rose from 8% to 12%. The growth was more prominent among independent voters, with 17% of them now rating crime as their top issue.

“The thing about crime is, it doesn’t take much — it just takes one or two things that people notice and makes them scared,” Baldassare said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor’s office and Schiff for a comment.

Divide Among Democrats in Addressing Crime

Since 2020, there has been a statewide rise in property crime and theft, with local critics attributing the increase to what they term “soft-on-crime” policies like Proposition 47 and 57. However, the issue has now caused a divide among Democrats in the legislature. Some are joining forces with Republicans to propose bipartisan bills aimed at curbing petty theft, while progressive lawmakers introduced their own alternative measures – dubbed Smart Solutions – that focus on providing additional services for offenders.

Earlier this week, former L.A. district attorney Steve Cooley pointed out the irony that politicians like Schiff, who have previously enforced soft-on-crime policies, have now been victims of crime.

“If the super majority Democrat legislature wants to really have a positive impact on crime, they should reverse some of their previously enacted reckless public safety laws that have dramatically negatively impacted public safety,” Cooley told Fox News Digital. “I just think it’s ironic that Adam Schiff, who endorsed George Gascon, very publicly and very enthusiastically, is a victim of a theft.”

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Fox News’ Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.

About the Author

Lindsay Kornick is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to lindsay.kornick@fox.com and on Twitter: @lmkornick.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article, such as rising crime rates and concerns about public safety, are connected to SDG 16. This goal focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article also indirectly touches on SDG 11, which aims to create sustainable cities and communities. The increase in crime rates can impact the safety and well-being of communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

The article highlights the growing concern about crime rates in California, indicating a need to address and reduce violence and related death rates.

Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

The article mentions the need for responsive and inclusive decision-making to address the crime issue, indicating a need to promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.

Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime

The article discusses the increase in property crime and theft, suggesting a need to combat organized crime and strengthen efforts to recover stolen assets.

Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms

The article does not directly mention corruption or bribery, but addressing crime issues can contribute to reducing corruption and bribery in society.

Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels

The article mentions the need for lawmakers to address the crime issue, indicating a need for responsive and inclusive decision-making processes.

Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

The article does not directly mention public access to information or fundamental freedoms, but addressing crime issues can contribute to ensuring public safety and protecting fundamental freedoms.

Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities

The article does not directly mention the need for safe and inclusive public spaces, but addressing crime issues can contribute to creating safer and more accessible communities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No, the article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: foxnews.com

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