成人X站

KTTH OPINION

Rantz: As crime crisis worsens, Democrats refuse to accept responsibility

Aug 9, 2023, 6:00 PM | Updated: 10:53 pm

gunshot wounds...

Police have 1st Avenue S blocked off at S Walker Street as they investigate a shooting. (Photo from Sam Campbell)

(Photo from Sam Campbell)

From Seattle to Tacoma, the Puget Sound region is experiencing a clear surge in violent crime, especially amongst juveniles.

Nearly every day, locals wake up to news of another homicide, car jacking, armed robbery or drug bust. It’s no longer shocking — it’s expected. We might notice when there聽颈蝉苍’迟听a violent crime reported.

But local leaders aren’t stepping up with a plan to address the crisis. They’re barely admitting we have a crisis to begin with.

Why not? Because they don’t want to be held accountable for the role they played in getting us here.

More from Jason Rantz: Former Seattle cop says ‘criminals are running this city’ in brutal resignation letter

Area crime crisis worsens thanks to Democrats

With the Major League Baseball All-Star Game far behind us, Seattle’s SODO neighborhood has returned to normal.

Police to gunshots this week, only to find a man dead at an intersection. There are no suspects. The afternoon before, in broad daylight, an turned into a gun fight between motorcyclists. Two of the three involved were shot.

In Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, even : a fatal stabbing after what sounds to be a domestic violence call. The victim was just 21 years old.

In Pierce County, we get the same stories.

A 15-year-old boy was in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Neither the victim, nor his parents will cooperate with police. A woman and teenage girl were in broad daylight in central Tacoma. Both are expected to survive, but there has been no information on suspects. And three teens and an adult were arrested for an alleged drive-by shooting. Police say they even shot multiple shots at an officer, who luckily escaped without any injury.

Who will step up?

All this crime begs a simple question:聽where is Democrat leadership? Where is Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell or Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards?

Where are members of the King or Pierce County Council?聽Where are the Democrat representatives and state senators who supposedly care about these communities?

Stepping up to lead doesn’t mean sending out a press release or offering a strongly worded sound bite without any substance only to ignore the issue until pressed about it two months later. It doesn’t mean putting out some meaningless tweet that no one sees so they can say they, technically, said something to avoid being criticized for their silence. It means sustained, public messaging that they know what’s happening, while explaining what they’re doing to address the crisis.

But local leaders refuse to even admit we have a crime crisis. And they certainly won’t offer a plan to stymie it. And the reason why is simple: Democrats don’t want to be held accountable for the crime crisis they helped to create.

Yes, Democrats are to blame

Democrats passed laws and implemented policies that created this culture of lawlessness.

It started with police defunding. Then, prosecutors stopped prosecuting, judges stopped jailing, and it was all to the benefit of restorative justice programs that don’t work, but keep getting millions of dollars in funding.

At the state level, Democrats effectively legalized drugs, stopped cops from contacting juvenile suspects (and possible witnesses) without a lawyer present, and banned them from vehicular pursuits in almost all cases.

It was the perfect recipe for a crime crisis.

And yes — it’s the fault of Democrats. Republicans control neither the city councils here nor the state legislature in Olympia. This is not their doing. Democrats did this.

But Democrats can play heroes

Democrats must acknowledge the crisis they created. And that means walking back their laws and policies.聽If they don’t, we’ll continue to see more blood shed, stolen cars, busted out storefronts, and the never ending surge of fatal drug overdoses.

It also means local media needs to step up coverage. Rather than offer transactional stories about crime, reporters must tie it to the laws and policies that are to blame. It may cost them access to Harrell or upset Democrat leadership in Olympia. But if they care about the region, it’s worth it. And believe me, as someone with nearly zero access to Democrats, they will still be able to do their job. I do mine without relying on them.

But which local Democrat is brave enough to admit fault? Which one can put their ideology and ego aside to be held accountable, and play hero with a viable plan?

Unfortunately, not a single Democrat lawmaker comes to mind.

Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3:00 p.m.鈥7:00 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). He is the author of the book 鈥.鈥澛Subscribe to the podcast. Follow @JasonRantz on聽,听, and聽. Check back frequently for more news and analysis.

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-7pm to The Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

KTTH Opinion

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 25: U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Patty Murray walks into a buzzsaw, gets humiliated by FBI Director Kash Patel

Senator Patty Murray's high-profile grilling of FBI Director Kash Patel takes an unexpected turn, leaving her looking foolish.

2 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Let鈥檚 rethink Mother鈥檚 Day email opt-outs

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, so we have all been getting a lot of emails. But why are companies offering people the option to opt out of the Mother’s Day email? Double Shot is trying to figure it out. 鈽曗槙 Listen to The Jason Rantz Show weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on AM […]

2 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: It’s Time to Move on From Bumbershoot

We鈥檙e told that all good things must come to an end. If that鈥檚 still the case, mediocre ones are bound to die too, and we shouldn鈥檛 delay the inevitable. Enter the 2025 edition of the Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival. Listen to The Jason Rantz Show weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on AM […]

2 days ago

uw...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: After UW suspensions, pro-Hamas extremists vow midday protest

Antisemites plan another UW Seattle protest upon learning their comrades were suspended for a Monday occupation.

3 days ago

Mother's Day opt-out emails...

Jason Rantz

Rantz: Companies should stop the Mother’s Day opt-out emails and we should tackle grief

As Mother's Day nears, companies should rethink opt-out emails and acknowledge the complexities of grief.

3 days ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Vancouver PRETENDING to be Seattle in The Last of Us makes no sense!

‘The Last of Us’ is the incredibly popular zombie series on HBO MAX, and it turns out it is set in Seattle. But when you watch it, it looks nothing like Seattle. Enjoy another Double Shot.鈽曗槙 Listen to The Jason Rantz Show weekdays from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on AM 770 KTTH or on-demand […]

3 days ago

Rantz: As crime crisis worsens, Democrats refuse to accept responsibility