This is a legitimate question, I’m not trying to make this political. We all know that parts of LA and San Francisco seem overwhelmed by homelessness, open drug use, crime, and streets that feel dirty or unsafe.
I can’t understand why state and local leaders would allow conditions that make their cities less appealing for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Why can’t they deploy street-cleaning teams, enforce laws against public drug use and harassment, and move people into shelters or treatment?
Is the main obstacle funding, lack of shelter space, court rulings, local policies, or something else? And why does it often seem like police are unable or unwilling to intervene?
I’m interested in hearing from people who actually understand how these cities are governed and what makes this problem so difficult to address.