Newsom Sweeps Homeless Camps in L.A County: Advocates for More ‘Urgency’
Newsom Cracks Down on Homelessness
The usually tolerant state of California is taking evocative steps to tackle its perennial homelessness problem. Governor Gavin Newsom has publicly expressed his mounting frustration towards county leaders who have ignored his executive order to dismantle street camps across the state. Taking matters into his own hands, Newsom paid surprise visits to two homeless encampments in Los Angeles county last Thursday.
Dressed casually in jeans, sunglasses, and a black cap, he issued a stark message of impatience during his unannounced tours. Days before his visit, state placards had been erected to warn the homeless residents of impending citation or arrest if they continued to inhabit those locations.
‘People are done.’
Assisting a group of state workers in orange vests, Newsom personally rolled up his sleeves to clean up a decrepit and trash-filled campsite underneath the Interstate 10 freeway in Los Angeles. “People are done. If we don’t deal with this, we don’t deserve to be in office,” he declared.
While his participation served as a public service, it also demonstrated a political flex showcasing his determination to combat the homelessness issue. Frustrated with the lack of cooperation, Newsom unequivocally voiced his demand for more ‘urgency’ from local L.A county leaders in addressing the worsening crisis.
Seeking More Urgency
“We need partners, not sparring partners,” Newsom asserted, calling for coordination and shared responsibility in dealing with the homelessness epidemic. Whilst the state expenses for unsheltered homeless individuals decreased significantly last year, the decrease rate was almost half in the Los Angeles County – home to nearly 10 million Californians – compared to the City of Los Angeles. To convey the severity and importance of this issue, Newsom emphasized, “If we can’t move Los Angeles County, we’re not going to move the state.”
Newsom’s campaign seeks to highlight the state’s homelessness crisis and advocate for more accelerated methods of dealing with it. Prior to his surprise camp visits, his office claimed that state officials contacted local homeless providers to request their assistance in making alternative arrangements for shelter.
Undeterred by Resistance,
Since Newsom’s initial call to dismantle the homeless camps on July 25, Los Angeles county leaders have shown considerable resistance. They assert their plans to navigate the issue independently, in accordance with their own methodology and timeline. While the county leaders’ continued resistance against Newsom’s campaign is evident, the governor remains steadfast in his commitment. His clear, determined message reverberates across the city, “We don’t deserve to be in office if we don’t deal with this.”
Final Takeaway
Homelessness has remained a chronic issue for California for far too long, with people living in makeshift homes and encampments under bridges and along sidewalks. Amidst the escalating crisis, Newsom’s direct intervention and unyielding commitment to combating homelessness has been an unprecedented move in the state’s history.
Can Governor Newsom’s determination alone mend the situation or will the city leaders continue to resist his efforts? Only time will tell.
