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By Eric Johnson
Published Aug 19, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom walks through a homeless camp with a garbage bag.
Gov. Gavin Newsom walks through a homeless camp with a garbage bag.
Image credit: Courtesy State of California

California Cracks Down on Homeless Camps & Crime

Just as California’s homelessness crisis and retail crime become central focuses of the presidential race, with Kamala Harris’s record as attorney general and district attorney being grossly mischaracterized, Gov. Gavin Newsom is delivering an old-fashioned crackdown.

The timing is almost certainly coincidental. Like Harris, Newsom has never been particularly soft on crime. As mayor of San Francisco, he initiated controversial policies to deal with the proliferation of unhoused individuals living on his city’s streets. 

The governor’s executive order two weeks ago, compelling state agencies to clear homeless encampments on state property and encouraging counties and municipalities to do the same, was consistent with positions that he’s held throughout his career. 

The first sentence of the  press release that accompanied the governor’s order stated that Newsom was “directing state agencies to urgently address homeless encampments with dignity and compassion.” As Chris Neklason points out below, Newsom has spent years laying the groundwork—and marshaling the money—to make such “compassionate coercion” possible. 


‘Compassionate Coercion’ and Public Safety

Elected officials need to balance the competing needs of a variety of constituents. In two historic moves over the past several weeks, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California legislature have enacted moves that have drawn harsh criticism from some civil-liberties groups, with California’s lawmakers advocating for individuals and businesses demanding civil order.

“I’m here on behalf of 40 million Californians who are fed up,” Newsom said of the camping ban, adding, “I’m one of them. I want to see results.” Tough talk that might seem like a political ploy if there was not a raft of recent legislation to back it up—and protect the vulnerable folks who will be affected.


California Cracks Down on Homeless Encampments

A homeless encampment in San Jose, California.
Nobody is happy with the current situation. Especially California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Proposition 36, AB 2943 & 1179: California Cracks Down On Crime

You know it's bad when they need to lock up the baby formula.
Californians are fed up with flash-mob shoplifting, smash-and-grab theft, and an alarming uptick in Fentanyl deaths.


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Direct your browser to https://yolo.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Yolo County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!


Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Summer! cookbook.


Fresh tomatoes in scones? Yes, please

Quartered Juliet tomatoes and thyme leaves add fresh flavor to these buttermilk scones.
New! Summery bread delicious for brunch or dinner


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New facility will expand aquatic opportunities, equity, and safety for Woodlanders of all ages.
City of Woodland   (08/19/2024)
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various meat and poultry products that were...
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Image of United States seal. Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Breast Nugget and Tender Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - Perdue Foods LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated...
United States   (08/16/2024)
Image of United States seal. FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ineligible Meat and Poultry Products Illegally Imported from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for various meat and poultry products that were...
United States   (08/16/2024)
Image of United States seal. Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Breast Nugget and Tender Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
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Image of State of California seal. Bill Dodd CA Senate 03: August 2024 – District Report
August 2024 District ReportMonday, August 12, 2024 A Message from Bill Dodd Dear Neighbor, Students start returning to school this month as we in the Capitol make a final push on legislation to protect consumers from hidden fees, prevent wildfire and prepare for emerging AI technology, among many other topics. In this Issue: Wildfire Safety & Preparedness Delta Week Legislative …
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