SACRAMENTO, CA – California’s Democratic Governor said Thursday that he was preparing the state for potential unrest following the November elections.
He made these claims despite having released hundreds of felons from prison, pushed for non-monetary bail, and failing to address a growing homeless population.
Meanwhile Gavin Newsom is in his mansion deciding how many people you can have at your own home for Thanksgiving and whether you can sing together.
Vote every Democrat out. https://t.co/TVyw17jInX
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) October 28, 2020
In an interview with Politico, Governor Gavin Newsom claimed:
“As it relates to making sure people are safe, making sure not only the process of voting is a safe and healthy one, but keeping people safe after the election for whatever may occur, the answer is yes, we are always gaming out different scenarios and making sure that we are prepared.”
The Governor did not explain what steps were being taken, or what scenarios they were “gaming out.”
Californians are expecting violence during and after the November Presidential Elections according to a new UC Berkley poll. Overall, the poll indicated that nine out of 10 likely California voters were worried the election outcome would not be accepted by the population.
Of the respondents, 44% believed violence following the election was “very likely,” 44% said “somewhat likely,” and 12% said “not likely.”
California school threatens 12 yr-old with arrest for allegedly missing 90 minutes of Zoom class.
While Cali released 3,500 violent crime inmates from prison.#NotTheBabylonBee #Crazy #Cali #Sunday @TheBabylonBee
https://t.co/rnDFN7SVr9— Beverly A. Pekala (@PekalaLaw) October 25, 2020
The Berkeley institute’s poll, supervised by Mark DiCamillo, was administered online Oct. 16-21 in English and Spanish among 6,686 registered California voters, 5,352 of whom are considered likely to vote in the Nov. 3 election.
The margin of error for the full sample is estimated at roughly two percentage points in either direction.
Steps the Governor has taken this year include addressing the pandemic by releasing thousands of state prisoners beginning in April. Some of the prisoners released included violent offenders.
The state’s new rules over non-monetary bail has also allowed thousands of prisoners to walk free.
The non-monetary bail question has been placed on a referendum through Proposition 25 and will be on the ballot in November. Proposition 25 allows voters to decide whether to uphold a law known as Senate Bill 10 eliminating all cash bail.
California has also ordered the release of thousands of prisoners to reduce jail populations in response to the pandemic. Some of the released prisoners are violent offenders and prisoners with mental illness.
Under California law, assault with a deadly weapon is not a violent crime. #KeepCalSafe
VOTE Yes on #Prop20 pic.twitter.com/BMWAWOkvdG
— Yes on 20 (@KeepCalSafe) October 21, 2020
Law enforcement agencies are questioning how ready the Governor is making California. The city of Fresno has been particularly critical of Gov. Newsom. Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall said that the Governor’s prisoner release program needed to end:
“Our jails and our prisons are essential services to our community. Holding criminals accountable is the very foundation or cornerstone of our justice system.”
Chief Hall added:
“The implementation of $0 bail, state-wide early release from prisons, and revolving doors at our local jails has caused this city’s violent crime to more than double from previous years.”
The Chief noted that since the non-monetary bail policy went into effect, Fresno has seen a 126% increase in shootings and a 55% increase in murders. Chief Hall and Fresno District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp have met with federal law enforcement to coordinate a response to the increases.
DA Smittcamp blasted Gov. Newsom at a news conference addressing the rising violence in Fresno, and across California:
“He (Newsom) applauds himself and his criminal justice reformers for bringing the numbers down (in prison populations). While I am not an opponent of criminal justice reform, I am an opponent of misinformation and lies. What he doesn’t tell you is that the prison population numbers have decreased because he has let violent criminals out.”
Richard Grenell, former acting director of National Intelligence for the trump administration, also questioned Gov. Newsom’s claim that he would ensure “the process of voting is a safe.” Grenell has called for an investigation into what he calls “election interference” by Gov. Newsom.
Grenell tweeted on Oct. 9:
“I am calling for an investigation into @GavinNewsom’s election interference. This is a scandal. It’s being ignored by the media. It’s happening everyday! Here are two ballots mailed to two people who have been dead for more than 10 years!”
I am calling for an investigation into @GavinNewsom’s election interference. This is a scandal. It’s being ignored by the media. It’s happening everyday! Here are two ballots mailed to two people who have been dead for more than 10 years! pic.twitter.com/u7a6M0tokA
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) October 9, 2020
A study by the Election Integrity Project has found that close to 400,000 ballots have been sent to people who have moved or died in California.
Project member Evelyn Swenson stated:
“The fear is that people who are dishonest could vote those ballots and attempt to get them counted.
“What kind of confidence do the people of California have in the system when they’re getting ballots from their deceased loved one 10 years ago or someone who never lived there or someone who moved 10 years ago? That hurts the confidence in the election.”
San Diego Police Department has addressed the concerns over election violence by assuring the public that they are prepared. Let. Shawn Takeuchi, head of public affairs for the department, said they have no information regarding threats during or after the election, but that they are prepared in case of violence:
“We are in constant communication with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners and, as of now, we are not aware of any anticipated problems on Election Day and the days thereafter.
“However, we also recognize that this year is very unprecedented given the pandemic, social justice movement and emotion-filled politics. If unrest occurs, we will be prepared to facilitate peaceful protests while addressing violent actions.”
Takeuchi explained that CA Elections Code 18544, prohibits peace officers, security guards, or anyone else in possession of a gun to be “stationed in the immediate vicinity” of a polling place without the written authorization of “the appropriate city or county elections official.”
He added:
“(SDPD )is prepared to provide uninterrupted emergency and non-emergency police service to all of the communities we serve.”
—
Want to make sure you never miss a story from Law Enforcement Today? With so much “stuff” happening in the world on social media, it’s easy for things to get lost.
Make sure you click “following” and then click “see first” so you don’t miss a thing! (See image below.) Thanks for being a part of the LET family!
