Part 10/13:
California’s leadership, including Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials, are under pressure to demonstrate progress before significant events such as the Olympics, the Parolympics, and the World Cup. There’s a sense that the political focus is cosmetic—highlighting efforts like reunification and robot patrols—rather than confronting systemic issues.
Despite spending billions, the state’s homelessness continues to grow. Critics argue it’s a matter of political will: policies that prohibit involuntary treatment or institutionalization let many addicts and seriously mentally ill individuals roam free, exacerbating the chaos.