The brutal murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee last week highlights the effects of the increase in crime in California over the last several years. Furthermore, the crime wave coincided with what conservatives believe are policies that encouraged such behavior.
Lee, 43, was recently killed in San Francisco, with the events being on camera.
The murder highlights the sharp increase in crime facing California over the last two years.
Furthermore, the murder gained the attention of Tesla founder Elon Musk. Musk criticized the state over the increase in crime.
The billionaire previously moved his company from California to Texas. Lee, like Musk, had moved to Florida. Lee had previously stated that San Francisco was in poorer and poorer shape.
Musk wrote on Twitter, stating that “violent crime in San Francisco is horrific and even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately.” He then asked what San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins would do to respond to the increase in violent crime.
Very sorry to hear that. Many people I know have been severely assaulted.
Violent crime in SF is horrific and even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately.
Is the city taking stronger action to incarcerate repeat violent offenders @BrookeJenkinsSF?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 5, 2023
Democrats that control the state legislature passed a number of policies that reduced the penalties for various crimes. This included the near-elimination of traditional bail, including for a number of violent crimes.
Since the restrictions on bail, the number of crimes committed by those released after the changes roughly doubled. This included almost 63% of those released being arrested for a felony.
Compared to those who posted traditional bail, those “released without bail were rearrested on 163% more charges than those who posted bail” and “reoffended 70% more often,” according to Fox News.
On average, those released without bail were arrested again on average 129 days later.
California also effectively decriminalized shoplifting. Under California law, thefts of under $950 are now no longer considered felonies. Under the law changed by Proposition 47, many businesses and police agencies do not arrest those who engage in shoplifting.
The result was a sharp increase in high-profile thefts, including a large number caught on video.
