Why is Crime allowed to Prosper in Blue States?

1. 73

   Ken Burgessposted 2 days ago

   The first minute and a-half tells the story of this question:
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFQrdI40Gxw
   
   Crime is Making Americans Flee Democratic States
   https://www.buffalo.edu/cas/geography/n … tates.html
   
   An excerpt:
   
   Law and Order
   
   A Gallup poll, published in October 2022, found 56 percent of Americans think crime has increased in their areas, with 78 percent believing it has risen nationwide.
   
   Law and order was one of the main reasons Florida resident Terry Gilliam fled from the West Coast after 35 years. The 64-year-old now runs the "Leaving California" and "Life After California" Facebook groups, which have a combined membership of over 278,000.
   
   Describing his life in California, Gilliam told Newsweek: "In addition to a continuous increase in the cost of everything, crime and homelessness grew with each passing year —with no viable solution to stop it; just a lot more money thrown into the air to consultants.
   
   "California is a failed state. It abandoned Judeo Christian values (that have made this the best country in the history of the world) many years ago."
   
   A number of the "Leaving California" Facebook group members who agreed to speak to Newsweek about their experiences shared similar views.
   
   Asked why she decided to leave, Alycia Rodgers told Newsweek: "Moving from Riverside to Sarasota [Florida] next week. I don't even recognize this place anymore.
   
   "One recent example: A few weeks ago, a woman obviously in a state of drug induced psychosis spent hours in the park directly behind my house acting completely insane, screaming obscenities at the top of her lungs, throwing stuff, kicking stuff, dancing around, rolling around, and even taking off her clothes.
   
   "This state has lost its way. I'm surrounded by crime and homelessness and the state cares about stupid stuff like shopping bags, straws, composting, gas stoves, equitable electric bills."
   
   Laura Tinoco added: "Homeless (just saw a man's buns and b****) at my local restaurant, last year a man was out in our backyard, rearranging our furniture to suit himself."
   
   Thoughts?

   replyreport
   1. 74

      tsmogposted 2 days agoin reply to this

      There’s truth in the frustration voiced here. As you know, Ken, I live in San Diego, so I’ve got a sense of the pulse—at least locally. California, like many places, wrestles with visible disorder: crime, homelessness, and a sense of unraveling. I don’t dismiss that. But I wonder if we’re mistaking symptoms for causes.
      
      Cities like Miami, Dallas, and Orlando—hardly bastions of progressive governance—face similar struggles. Crime, urban decay, and social fragmentation aren’t partisan problems; they’re human ones. Charles Dickens wrote of London’s slums and corruption nearly two centuries ago, and his critique wasn’t aimed at parties—it was aimed at the soul of society itself.
      
      So yes, people are moving. But maybe what they’re fleeing isn’t just policy—it’s the ache of disconnection, the loss of shared meaning. And maybe what we need isn’t just better governance, but deeper communion.
      
      As a note, I saw the FBI released its 2024 crime stats earlier this month—violent crime fell 4.5%, and property crime dropped 8.1% nationwide. It will prove to be interesting on a state-by-state basis. I’m currently working on a project involving Pew’s religion study, but I may dig into those numbers later. I suspect the two are related—morality, meaning, and all that kind of stuff.

      replyreport
      1. 73

         Ken Burgessposted 2 days agoin reply to this

         I think there is a lot there that you speak of... the lack of community... the lack of common identity ... the lack of moral foundation that we all agree to... or perhaps to be better put...that society is run by.
         
         It is why I believe Islam will take precedence in the not-too-distant future in places like France and Sweden... when society breaks down something comes in to restore law and order... one way or another. 
         
         Its why I started that other thread to contemplate the matter... wondering how probable it is when you consider converts of men who have been discarded by society and the reproductive differences of 1.5 (Western) vs. 5 (Islamic).

         replyreport
      2. 73

         Ken Burgessposted 40 hours agoin reply to this

         As you are in CA... how likely is it that this is already becoming the reality in your State?:
         
         Inside Mexico's Billion Dollar Drug Empire | Meet The Drug Lords: Inside The Real Narcos
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otSIxPW … kDZuPEfpAQ

         replyreport
         1. 74

            tsmogposted 31 hours agoin reply to this

            Firstly, with somewhat a lot of time on my hands, I approach things while playing around seeking uniqueness and likeness. For instance I look at stats & info for
            
            U.S. = 340+ million people
            California = 39+ million people
            Southern California because I live there = 25+ million people, which is the majority of the state
            San Diego County = 3+ million people Bear in mind it is on the border w/Mexico
            My city, Escondido some 40 miles north of San Diego = 148K+ people
            My community, a mobile home park = 120 homes, say 300+ people
            
            Yes, the drug world is prominent in 'Southern' California, yet I am unsure of central and northern. But, what is it for where I reside. Everywhere else is just the news if you catch my drift.
            
            A cool site you may like is
            
            Crime by Zip Code by Crime grade.org
            https://crimegrade.org/crime-by-zip-code/
            
            For my zip code it is
            
            
            
            To give an example for why I look at stuff that way is I watch old repeats of a show called Hard Core Pawn. It takes place in Detroit. It is kind of a rough presentation of life in that pawn shop. Does it represent Detroit? Michigan?
            
            When ever I watch a thought that comes to mind is Sharlee because if I remember right she lives in Michigan. But, is it fair to use that show as indicator of the 'Life' that Sharlee lives? With a little nostalgia tossed in when I think of you, Cred, and Eso I think of the TV show Miami Vice and the Bad Boys movies with Will Smith and Kevin Hart.
            
            Well, just some thoughts as a quick response with a focus on the key word - 'Reality' that you used. So, in essence I ask, for me, am I to worry about the state or where I live. Be concerned, yes, but worried?

            replyreport
            1. 83

               Credence2posted 31 hours agoin reply to this

               Well Tim, it seems like I am more fortunate to have a good score within my humble abode here in Central Florida. Almost  having a Mayberry level of peace and tranquility for now. I cannot speak for other more populated and congestive urban areas in the state.
               
               A+
               Overall Crime Grade™
               
               Violent Crime Grade
               A
               
               Property Crime Grade
               A+
               
               Other Crime Grade
               A+
               
               
               $1.96 million
               Cost of Crime™ for my zipcode in central FL
               In 2025, crime will cost $411 per household.

               replyreport
               1. 74

                  tsmogposted 21 hours agoin reply to this

                  It looks like you are in a pretty good neighborhood, Cred. For me looking at the map offers hidden truths. The crime is worse in the west of my city.
                  
                  Sharing, I live in a mobile home park skirting the outer limits of the city. I can walk to a Burger King, a Del Taco, and within half a mile a shopping center with Albertsons a chain grocery store.
                  
                  But, in the mobile home park itself it is a pretty tight knit community. Crime is a rarity usually at worst being a homeless person going through the trash looking for plastic bottles and cans at night. Of course, we have those masked characters too - a racoon or two ha-ha

                  replyreport
            2. 73

               Ken Burgessposted 10 hours agoin reply to this

               Very reasonable perspective to have. 
               
               Helps you avoid the hyperbolic reporting of today's 'news', I'd imagine.
               
               But I think we can all agree there is a general decline in Law and Order and the 'American Dream' of the Middle Class and Upward Mobility.'.
               
               And I think, as you have pointed out yourself, there is a deterioration in the commonality we share socially, the cohesion that keeps it together... the similar beliefs, be that of faith or what we perceive justice to be... how Law and Order should be maintained.
               
               And without that common background, without similar beliefs in what Right and Wrong is, what Citizen's Rights are, if we should maintain a Nation...
               
               As We the People fragment in what we see Reality to be... with some believing there are 72 sexes and others only believing in 2... with some believing we can have Open Borders and do away with Nation States and others seeing them as vital to maintain the Safety Nets that provide for the poor, the old, the infirm... as there is no consensus on what makes a crime, or that people from some backgrounds can commit that crime while others are prosecuted for the very same offense...
               
               Until that commonality in our society is restored, until there is an authority respected and adhrered to by the vast majority, we will continue to decline in all the ways we see.
               
               What that unifying force will be remains to be seen... will it be our being united by Neuralinks to a higher Community Consciousness... will it come after an economic collapse and an Authoritarian government enforcing its will, eradicating those that want to resist... only time will tell.

               replyreport
               1. 74

                  tsmogposted 9 hours agoin reply to this

                  Wise!
                  
                  Me? According to actuarial tables I was supposed to have died some four or five years back, so I am in heaven as far as I am concerned. My perspective or beliefs may differ from others.

                  replyreport