News For Reasonable People

Parents of students at University of California Berkeley have become so concerned about their offspring’s safety they have hired private security to secure the local vicinity. SFGATE reports that parents were forced to take matters into their own hands amid a surge in violent crime around the UC Berkeley campus located outside of San Francisco: Parents and community members of SafeBears, a nonprofit organization started in 2022, raised $40,000 at the end of 2023 to launch the pilot program, which started March 6 and concludes on Saturday, according to the group’s website. Six security guards from Streetplus, a third-party contractor, are patrolling five routes around the campus and the university’s residence halls on foot and by bicycle from 6:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily. The security guards are not armed and will not enter university property, the website says, but are trained in de-escalation and CPR. They also must earn a California “guard card” from the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, requiring them to clear a background check from the California Department of Justice and FBI. While the program will not be continuing beyond this weekend, parents hope that they will be able to convince the university to take more action. “While we will not be extending the length of our private safety pilot beyond March 23, we will certainly continue to push the administration at UC Berkeley to do more to protect students from violence,” Sagar Jethani, president of SafeBears, told SFGATE.

California restaurants are reportedly laying off staff and reducing hours for other team members in an effort to cut costs ahead of a California state law taking effect on April 1 that will raise fast-food workers’ hourly wage to $20. In the months leading up to the wage mandate, California eateries, particularly pizza joints, have established a plan to cut jobs, according to state records obtained by The Wall Street Journal. Pizza Hut and Round Table Pizza — a Menlo Park, Calif.-founded chain of 400 pizza parlors, mostly on the West Coast — have said they plan to lay off around 1,280 delivery drivers this year, according to records that major employers must submit to the state before large layoffs, The Journal reported. Pizza Hut already sent notices to employees informing them of their last day. Michael Ojeda, a Pizza Hut driver for eight years in Ontario, Calif., received one of the notes from Pizza Hut franchisee Southern California Pizza in December telling him that his last day of work would be in February.

In the first three months after the City of Denver converted a hotel in Denver's Central Park neighborhood to a shelter for the homeless, calls for police and first responders rose 2,900% compared to the previous three months when it served as a hotel, according to city data obtained by CBS News Colorado.

A federal judge in Illinois appointed by President Barack Obama ruled that the Constitution protects the rights of noncitizens who enter the US illegally after a Mexican immigrant living in Chicago was found in possession of a handgun. US District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman ruled earlier this month that a federal ban on undocumented immigrants owning firearms is unconstitutional, and dismissed charges against Heriberto Carbajal-Flores, who was arrested in 2020 after violating a federal law that prohibits noncitizens from possessing guns. Coleman ruled that since Carbajal-Flores has no criminal record and the circumstances behind his arrest were not violent, he should not be deprived of his Second Amendment right to bear arms in self-defense, Fox News Digital reported.

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the bar exam is no longer a requirement for prospective lawyers. On Friday, The Bar Licensure Task Force explained that the bar is “minimally effective for ensuring competency” and “disproportionally and unnecessarily blocks marginalized groups from becoming practicing attorneys.” According to The Spokesman-Review, after appointing the task force in 2020 to assess “disproportionate impacts on examinees of color and first-generation examinees,” the courts agreed to substitute the exam with “experiential-learning alternatives.” The task force was made up of over 50 groups of representatives and “examined the character and fitness process for lawyer licensure.” Although students have historically interned under another lawyer before becoming attorneys, they still had to pass the bar to get their license to practice. Under the new guidelines, lawyers can forgo the bar, first administered in Delaware in 1783, by participating in a six-month apprenticeship and finishing three courses.

Beverly Grove Place, a small outpost of Beverly Hills, is becoming a popular address for the rich and famous. Basketball superstar LeBron James is building a house there, and celebrity couple Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck bought a $61 million compound there last year. Yet a bunch of squatters lived right down the street from James' new home at 1316 Beverly Grove Place from October 2023 to February 2024, reports New York Magazine. These squatters weren’t poor Angelenos who couldn't afford rent in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S.. They were grifters who saw the opportunity to use a neglected mansion to give the appearance of wealth and throw massive parties. A January report from The Real Deal said the 5,900-square-foot home was listed for $4.6 million. The fact that they could con their way into the “most exclusive Zip code in America” shows that expensive neighborhoods may also see squatting incidents.

In a controversial move, Colorado is considering legislation that would remove caps on the number of unrelated roommates allowed in a single dwelling, a policy shift aimed at addressing housing affordability but raising significant concerns among residents. Critics argue this could exacerbate existing issues in cities like Denver, where the mayor has already faced backlash for handling the migrant crisis and homelessness, with a notable rise in the homeless population and cuts to city services due to financial strain. Supporters of the bill see it as a necessary step towards alleviating the housing crunch, but opponents fear it will lead to overoccupied homes and strain on local resources, potentially transforming neighborhoods and impacting quality of life. This proposal highlights the ongoing debate over how best to manage housing and urban development in a way that balances growth with community standards.

A migrant TikToker with a 500,000-strong online following is offering his comrades tips on how to “invade” unoccupied homes and invoke squatter’s rights in the United States. Venezuelan national Leonel Moreno, who appears to live in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, said in a recent video that under US law, “if a house is not inhabited, we can seize it.” He appeared to be referring to adverse possession laws, commonly known as squatter’s rights, which allow unlawful property occupants rights over the property they occupy without the owner’s consent, in certain circumstances. Moreno claimed in the viral TikTok clip, which has drawn more than 3.9 million views, that he has “African friends” who have “already taken about seven homes.”

Wealthy Los Angeles residents are increasingly seeing their luxury goods stolen by bands of “burglary tourists” who are exploiting the US visa system to enter the country and break into mansions before fleeing to their home countries with the loot, police have warned. The burglars from Chile, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru are allegedly responsible for 94 burglaries in just one section of the city in 2023 alone, officials with the Los Angeles Police Department told the Los Angeles Times. The gangs are also believed to have stolen from Long Island and New Jersey last month, and in 2022, the FBI considered them “an enormous threat” to the US, a supervisory special agent told the Washington Post.

A pair of vigilantes allegedly tried to forcefully evict three alleged squatters from a million-dollar Queens home after the homeowner was arrested when she changed the locks and tried to remove them. Two unidentified men driving a black pickup truck pulled into the driveway of the Flushing home searching for the tenants Tuesday afternoon, according to the Daily Mail. “We are looking to get this guy out,” one of the men allegedly said, a neighbor told the outlet. “I am here to talk to him. I want to see why he is here.”

A pair of vigilantes allegedly tried to forcefully evict three alleged squatters from a million-dollar Queens home after the homeowner was arrested when she changed the locks and tried to remove them. Two unidentified men driving a black pickup truck pulled into the driveway of the Flushing home searching for the tenants Tuesday afternoon, according to the Daily Mail. “We are looking to get this guy out,” one of the men allegedly said, a neighbor told the outlet. “I am here to talk to him. I want to see why he is here.” Adele Andaloro, 47, was in the process of selling the property when the group shadily took refuge in the home last month. Andaloro inherited the $1 million property from her parents after they died.

In a stark revelation, nearly half of downtown Pittsburgh's office spaces are predicted to be vacant by 2028, posing a significant challenge not only to the city’s economic landscape but also to its social fabric. This downturn is attributed to the rising risks of foreclosures and a dramatic shift in workplace dynamics, with remote work diminishing the need for physical office spaces. The situation is further exacerbated by the Pittsburgh Police Department’s announcement that it will prioritize emergency calls, leaving lesser incidents like theft and harassment to be handled by an "enhanced telephone reporting unit," essentially an answering machine. This shift in police response underscores the broader implications of declining downtown occupancy: reduced tax revenue, decreased law enforcement presence, and a looming fiscal crisis for the city. The problem, while acute in Pittsburgh, mirrors a nationwide trend where cities grapple with the fallout of remote work and changing urban dynamics, threatening the vibrancy and economic stability of downtown areas.

In Las Vegas, private security teams are tackling an escalating squatter crisis in apartment complexes, exacerbated by rising evictions. Protective Force International, led by CEO Jonathan Alvarez, is at the forefront, servicing over 300 properties besieged by unauthorized occupants. The situation has deteriorated to the point where a specialized task force is now deployed to address this challenge head-on. These squatters, beyond seeking shelter, are often found amidst dangerous conditions, including drug use and the presence of trafficked children. The security teams, prepared for various threats, work alongside Metro Police to mitigate these issues, suggesting strategies to property owners to prevent squatter incursions. This development reflects a broader problem tied to the pandemic's aftermath, highlighting the struggle between property rights and the homeless crisis, with innovative solutions like drone surveillance being employed to manage the situation.

San Francisco city officials plan to pull its offices from a downtown building near City Hall due to high rent and a bad real estate market, The San Francisco Standard reported Friday. The 11-story building in downtown San Francisco was initially leased to city and county officials back in 1999 and has over the years served as office space for many municipal departments like the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, the Mayor’s Office of Disability and the Department of the Environment, the outlet reported. (San Francisco Somehow Finds A Way To Make Catching Criminals Even Harder)

Arizona cities are on high alert as the imminent cutoff of federal funding threatens to unleash a crisis with thousands of asylum seekers potentially released onto the streets. Since 2019, Arizona has been a significant transit point for migrants with valid asylum claims, facilitated by a network of government agencies and nonprofits. These entities have ensured migrants are temporarily sheltered and then transported to their final destinations across the country. However, the drying up of federal funds means this critical support infrastructure is at risk. Customs and Border Protection has processed nearly half a million asylum seekers in Arizona alone, routing them through cities like Douglas, Nogales, Yuma, Tucson, Casa Grande, and even Phoenix. The potential for large-scale street releases poses a dire scenario for local communities, as state and local officials scramble for solutions amidst budget constraints. The situation highlights the broader national debate on immigration policy and border management.

In a move that has raised eyebrows across political lines, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has signed House Bill 1889 into law, permitting individuals without permanent legal immigration status to obtain professional licenses. This controversial legislation enables the use of individual tax ID numbers instead of Social Security numbers on license applications, opening career paths in fields like teaching, healthcare, and accounting to undocumented immigrants. Critics argue this undermines public trust and safety standards, citing concerns over the long-term feasibility and the potential for unfair competition with legal residents. Supporters, however, see it as an opportunity to integrate undocumented workers into the workforce more fully. The law has sparked a heated debate about immigration policy, worker rights, and the role of state legislation in addressing federal immigration issues.

Oakland police issued a new warning and new statistics this week about thieves smashing and grabbing car windows while you're still in the driver's seat. Police said there has been a recent increase in smash-and-grab robberies citywide, specifically targeting people in cars. As of March 10, burglaries have decreased by nearly 50% in Oakland, with 1,853 incidents compared to the same period last year, during which there were 3,480 burglaries. But robberies have increased by 32%, totaling 715 incidents this year, compared to 540 robberies during the same time period last year.

In a startling reflection of San Francisco's deteriorating public safety, an FBI counterterrorism agent was attacked in broad daylight, sparking outrage among citizens and businesses alike. Amid lawsuits against the city by residents and businesses demanding action against rampant drug deals, homelessness, and filth in the Tenderloin district, the city's focus on minor infractions like illegal hot dog vending stands in stark contrast to the violent realities on its streets. The attack, occurring near the notorious Tenderloin district, underscores a deepening crisis where federal agents and residents feel increasingly unsafe. This incident, alongside efforts by local businesses and the UC law school to compel the city to address these issues, highlights the urgent need for San Francisco to reconcile its policies with the safety and well-being of its citizens and those tasked with protecting them.

In Minneapolis, a recent ordinance requiring Uber and Lyft to pay drivers a minimum wage led to threats from both companies to cease their operations in the city. The City Council's decision to override the Mayor's veto of this ordinance has sparked a heated debate on the implications for drivers, residents, and the regional economy. Proponents see it as a victory for workers' rights, while critics argue it could lead to job losses and decreased accessibility to ride-sharing services. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between labor rights and the gig economy's business models, with potential long-term impacts on the availability of such services in Minneapolis and possibly beyond.

In Seattle, the "Defund the Police" movement's legacy continues to challenge the city's law enforcement capabilities into 2024, significantly affecting the Seattle Police Department's ability to maintain and recruit officers. The police chief disclosed to the city council that staff levels are alarmingly low, with over 700 departures since 2019. Despite attempts to counteract these trends, Seattle struggles against a backdrop of decreased public safety and increased concern among residents and the business community. This ongoing issue reflects broader debates over police funding and its implications for urban safety and governance. Critics argue that the reduction in police resources undermines the fabric of public security, impacting small businesses and community well-being, while supporters of the movement believe it is a step towards more equitable policing. The situation in Seattle serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such policy decisions on city safety and community trust in law enforcement.

In response to a staffing shortage, Pittsburgh Police have announced a significant shift in their response protocol, prioritizing in-progress emergencies over other types of calls. This change, a consequence of the controversial "defund the police" movement, means that incidents like criminal mischief, theft, harassment, and most burglary alarms will now be directed to an "enhanced telephone reporting unit" – essentially an answering service for non-emergency situations. This adjustment has sparked concern among residents, who fear their safety and property protection could be compromised. With police presence reduced overnight and the force operating with fewer officers than desired, the city's approach to law enforcement is undergoing a critical transformation. This policy adjustment reflects broader challenges faced by police departments nationwide, struggling with recruitment and public perception issues.

In a daring exposé, officials and citizens alike are sounding the alarm over the rampant sale of fake IDs, green cards, and social security cards by gang members to newcomers in New York City. This illicit trade, conducted openly on the bustling streets, not only undermines legal immigration processes but also poses a severe security threat. Gangs, including the notorious MS-13, have been identified as key players in this underground market, exploiting the desperation of migrants seeking employment in the U.S. without proper documentation. With prices ranging from $80 to $250, these forgeries enable migrants to circumvent the system, albeit at the risk of legal consequences and jeopardizing their chances of lawful residency. This revelation spotlights the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform and stringent enforcement to safeguard the integrity of U.S. immigration policies and national security.

In a striking turn of events, migrant protesters recently stormed a Seattle City Council meeting, clamoring for housing assistance for refugees, a demand that highlights a deeper controversy within the city's approach to immigration and public funding. Despite Seattle's significant financial contributions towards immigrant aid, the protesters, not actually residents of Seattle but from surrounding suburban communities, disrupted the proceedings in a bold move to press their demands. The episode not only showcases the complexities surrounding immigration policies but also marks a notable shift in the city's political atmosphere. Sarah Nelson, the new moderate president of the City Council, took a firm stance against the protest, diverging sharply from her predecessors' more welcoming approach to such demonstrations. This incident reflects the growing tension between the need for compassionate policy-making and the realities of municipal governance, stirring debates over resource allocation, law enforcement, and the broader implications of sanctuary city policies.

In a striking development, California legislators considered a bill that would allocate grant funds to illegal immigrants charged with violent crimes, sparking widespread controversy and debate. The bill aimed to use taxpayer dollars to prevent the deportation of illegal immigrants convicted of violent offenses, expanding the program nationwide for those expressing intent to reside in California. Critics, including California Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, argued that the bill inappropriately diverts hardworking taxpayer dollars towards aiding convicted illegal immigrants, undermining the state's legal and moral fabric. The proposal saw a temporary halt after significant public outcry and the involvement of community members, highlighting the contentious nature of immigration and legal assistance debates in the state. This incident underscores the complex interplay between immigration policy, public safety, and taxpayer responsibility, drawing attention to the broader implications for California and the nation.

In Washington State, a contentious situation unfolds as King County Sheriff Patricia Colt Tindle directs deputies not to enforce a new city ordinance aimed at managing homeless encampments near schools, libraries, and daycare centers. This defiance comes in the wake of the ordinance's introduction in Burien, aimed at curbing the visibility and impact of homelessness around sensitive areas. Tindle's decision, articulated as a stand against what she perceives as the ordinance's constitutional dubiousness, has sparked a lawsuit seeking judicial review. Amidst accusations of political motivations over public safety, this move highlights the deep divides over handling homelessness, with critics lambasting the county's "woke" approach as ineffective and counterproductive. This situation underscores the complex dynamics between local governance and law enforcement in addressing social issues, with potential implications for public safety, civic responsibility, and the overarching battle against homelessness.