Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, has expanded his political profile in recent months. Credit: Hector Amescua/The Sacramento Bee
California's governor rushes to tackle San Francisco's crime epidemic amid fears the spiral of lawlessness in the city could jeopardize his presidential ambitions.
Gavin Newsom dispatched staff state law enforcement to counter the city's ongoing drug crisis, which has sparked a fentanyl surge. associated with deaths on its streets.
As a beacon of American progressive politics, images of the abandoned businesses and crime streets of San Francisco have national significance.
Republicans have used them as a cudgel with which to defeat Mr. Newsom and the Democrats' commitment to public safety more broadly. sense.
Mr. Newsom is taking a hands-on approach to the crisis by deploying the California Highway Patrol and the state National Guard in a multi-agency operation to crack down on fentanyl trafficking.
It comes amid growing speculation that he is positioning himself as the next leader of the Democratic Party.
The 55-year-old has previously downplayed speculation that he will challenge Joe Biden in 2024.
But some believe he can still mount a major challenge if other credible candidates enter the race first.
Public spats with Ron DeSantis
Mr. Newsom has stepped up his political profile in recent months by presenting himself in as a foil for Ron DeSantis, Florida governor and Republican presidential nominee in 2024.
His publicity stunts included publicly arguing with Mr. DeSantis for his debate.
If he doesn't make the move in 2024, many around him believe he will almost certainly run for the White House in 2028.
In his final term as governor, Mr. Newsom is aware that the reputation of his hometown of San Francisco is inextricably linked to his own.
In an interview with Politico, he said, that «carefully refers to what the dollar stops at this.»
«And ultimately I will be held accountable,» he added.
As governor of California, Mr. Newsom rules a state that, in his own economy, will become the world's fifth-largest economy.
But after a string of negative headlines raising concerns about crime in California cities, he has taken proactive steps to address hyperlocal issues.
«I feel drawn to the mayor's office again,» he said Politico.
According to the website, the governor called his cabinet to a meeting in Tenderloin, one of the city's most infamous neighborhoods, earlier this year.
He turned his attention to the open-air drug markets and homeless camps surrounding City Hall — the office he once held as mayor of San Francisco — to get the message out to the people.
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Jim Wunderman, executive director of the Bay Area Council, told Politico that Mr. Newsom is «really concerned» about the perception of San Francisco as a «failed city.»
Mr. Wunderman said: «He also has political aspirations. higher level, and San Francisco speaks badly of it. It's just reality.”
Crime spike
The city is seeing a spike in crime at the same time that the Bay Area, home of America's tech giants, has been emptied due to post-work from home rules during the pandemic.< /p>
According to police, homicides are up more than 20% since the start of the year, while robberies and vehicle thefts are up 14% and 13%, respectively.
Meanwhile in San Francisco County According to the Census Bureau population, between 2019 and 2022, its population decreased by about 70,000 people.
The position of the city was highlighted in an ironic campaign called «This is Fentalife!» by a group of activists intent on shaming officials into action after fatal overdoses jumped 41 percent in the first three months of 2023.
Similar concerns were raised in Los Angeles, where a series of arrogant and expensive robberies. department stores have been ransacked by gangs of thieves in broad daylight in recent weeks.
Mr. Newsom has also dispatched Highway Patrol officers to Oakland and Los Angeles to help stop shoplifting criminals.
However, San Francisco's violent crime rate is lower than comparable-sized Republican-controlled cities in Florida and Texas.
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