California Proves It: Enforcing the Law Stops Crime
For years, progressive leaders across America, especially in states like California, have pushed for criminal justice “reform” that favors leniency over accountability. The results have been predictably tragic—rampant theft, rising homelessness, violent crime, and a disillusioned public. But now, something surprising has happened in California: crime dropped, and the reason is simple—law enforcement finally did its job.
This week Democrats are furious over President Trump’s decision to federalize law enforcement in Washington, D.C., and deploy the National Guard to restore order.
A recent report by TheBlaze highlights this unexpected development in California’s Central Valley, where cities like Bakersfield have shown a marked drop in property crimes and theft. The reason? Law enforcement officers began consistently arresting criminals again. The message was clear: crime has consequences.
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This shift directly contradicts the narrative pushed by progressive politicians and activists, who argue that reducing prison populations and decriminalizing theft would lead to a more just and equitable society. On the contrary, the California case proves what conservatives and Christians have long argued—lawlessness breeds destruction, and justice must be enforced for peace to flourish.
The resurgence in policing came after communities grew tired of the destruction wrought by policies like Proposition 47, a 2014 ballot initiative that reclassified many felonies as misdemeanors. Under Prop 47, theft under $950 was no longer considered a felony, effectively giving criminals a green light to loot stores without fear of jail time.
Predictably, theft exploded. Retailers suffered billions in losses. Small business owners gave up. In cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, major retailers closed stores, citing unsafe conditions for workers and customers. The most vulnerable—the poor and elderly—paid the price as basic services and stores vanished from their neighborhoods.
Yet while left-wing politicians touted Prop 47 as a model of justice reform, communities living with the consequences began to push back. According to the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, Prop 47 has redirected nearly a billion dollars from the prison system to community programs. But the price of this funding windfall has been a wave of criminal behavior that turned many parts of California into scenes from a dystopian film.
In a Biblical worldview, justice is not merely restorative but also retributive. Romans 13 makes it clear that government bears the sword for a reason—to punish evildoers and protect the innocent. When governing authorities abandon their God-given role to enforce moral order, chaos and corruption follow.
The encouraging news is that enforcing the law still works. In the areas of California where police resumed active enforcement of theft and drug laws, crime dropped sharply. Criminals no longer operated with impunity. The culture of fear began to lift. In short, when justice is enforced, righteousness has a chance to grow.
This isn’t just about crime statistics. It’s about restoring the moral order. When society makes excuses for lawbreakers while punishing law-abiding citizens through burdensome taxes and regulations, the very fabric of civilization begins to tear. Proverbs 29:4 says, “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.” That is exactly what progressive criminal justice policies have done—torn down stable communities.
The California example offers a powerful lesson: When you stop coddling criminals and start enforcing the law, even the worst neighborhoods can begin to recover. Rather than defunding the police, we need to retrain and re-empower them to do their job with fairness and firmness.
Moreover, the Church must not shy away from this conversation. A society that allows crime to flourish under the guise of compassion is not merciful—it is negligent. True mercy corrects wrongdoing and calls sinners to repentance. Letting theft, drugs, and lawlessness thrive in our streets is not “loving our neighbor.” It’s abandoning them to destruction.
California’s recent crime drop proves that accountability works. Conservatives have long argued that consequences deter bad behavior. The Bible teaches the same truth. Discipline is necessary for both individuals and nations to prosper. California’s experiment with lawlessness led to disaster. Its experiment with law enforcement is leading to hope.
As the rest of the country looks to November and evaluates the consequences of progressive policies on safety and order, let California’s story serve as a warning—and a beacon. When the law is enforced, crime stops. When justice is upheld, peace has a chance.
It’s time to stop pretending otherwise.