Train robbery theatrics. That about sums up Gavin Newsom swooping in to finally address the issues of looting along the railroads.

As Darleen wrote here last week, this is a problem for California and for the U.S. as a whole because these gangs of thieves are not only causing huge problems for LA, the railroads, the state, but the nation’s supply chain as a whole. Ordered a new round of Epi-pens? Yours might be lying alongside the tracks right now. Ordered Covid tests (prior to the Biden Administration’s rollout of it’s ‘magical’ test ordering site), and still don’t have them? They’re probably in that mess along the tracks. 

So, what is Governor Gavin ‘Hair Gel’ Newsom going to do? Swoop in wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and ball cap. Spend an hour or so gingerly picking up what the gangs of thieves left behind and put his foot in his mouth…BIGLY. 

Keep in mind, as Newsom was engaged in the train robbery theatrics of ‘unexpectedly this is a problem!’ Union Pacific had sent the Governor a letter over six weeks ago telling him that this was a VERY BIG ISSUE. Which Newsom ignored until a journalist at a local CBS station got national attention with his reporting on this. 

Not only did UP send one letter, they also are on public record blasting George Gascon for his lax policies. 

Railroad company Union Pacific (UP) is urging Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon to “reconsider” his directive that specifies 13 specific misdemeanor charges that will be dismissed with certain exceptions.

~Snip

The list of offenses includes trespassing, disturbing the peace, a minor in possession of alcohol, driving without a license, driving with a suspended license, making criminal threats, drug and paraphernalia possession, being under the influence of a controlled substance, public intoxication, loitering to commit prostitution and resisting arrest.

UP’s state director of public affairs, Adrian Guerrero, called the issue “incredibly disappointing and frustrating.”

“But that’s the reality of what Union Pacific has been facing over the past year, and it’s helping us shine a light on this issue. I think it’s a call to action for a number of stakeholders involved in this issue because…there are a number of folks being impacted by this,” Guerrero told Fox News Digital, adding that UP has engaged with the Los Angeles Police Department, Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol to target the thefts.

Gascon’s progressive leniency has likely contributed to the 160% (yes you read that correctly) increase in criminal railroad theft in 2021. 

Newsom traipses around looking spiffy in a ball cap, issues a statement moaning about the issue, but also corrects himself. You see, we can’t call those train robbers gangs or gang members. Let’s call them “organized groups.” 

California’s Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom APOLOGIZES for saying “gangs” when discussing “organized groups of people” looting trains. pic.twitter.com/ZRmqzUFH2m

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 21, 2022

*Sigh. See what I mean about train robbery theatrics? Those “organized groups of people” are laughing hysterically at Newsom and Gascon. I can just see the t-shirts now. ‘Don’t call us a gang! We’re just an organized group of people who break into railroad containers and liberate stuff!’

Not to mention the fact that, Newsom won’t do a damned thing about Gascon’s progressive policies, and Gascon won’t change his stripes either. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for saying he wants rail thefts in the state prosecuted, but endorsing Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

Villanueva said, [relevant remarks begin around 1:00] “Well, we have the governor picking up trash around the rail yard because of the rash of rail thefts that are plaguing Union Pacific rail lines. And he says he wants prosecution, but then he turns around and endorses George Gascón, who does not prosecute thefts. He’s legalized petty theft…without a proper prosecution, it does us no good or very little good to just arrest people that are going to be released immediately. So, that part of the equation is missing.”

Exactly. And Gavin Newsom’s theatrics are just that, theatre. Keep in mind, Newsom engaged in similar theatrics two years ago regarding the homeless. And, how’s that turning out for California? 

https://twitter.com/eschu1977/status/1484601324545064964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1484601324545064964%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhotair.com%2Fjohn-s-2%2F2022%2F01%2F21%2Fmake-california-great-again-newsom-says-train-thefts-made-california-look-like-a-third-world-country-n443250

I’m with HotAir’s John Sexton. This one REALLY made me laugh!

Why would Ron DeSantis do this to California? https://t.co/GPrXVVnHKp

— howard miller (@HowardM22578658) January 21, 2022

Gavin Newsom can engage in all the train robbery theatrics all he wants. But until those gang members, excuse me, “organized groups of people,” are caught and ACTUALLY prosecuted, the robberies will continue. And yes, the areas along the railroad tracks will still look like “third world countries.” Union Pacific employees and law enforcement will be at risk, and our supply chain will continue to have major problems. 

Feature Photo Credit: Cartoon burglar theatrics via Pixabay, cropped and modified