Staff Reports
The Golden State is facing a deadly crisis, and conservative leaders are stepping up to the plate to protect their citizens. While big cities like San Francisco may have been lenient in the past, smaller counties with a strong GOP presence are taking charge and ramping up their efforts to combat the devastating fentanyl epidemic.
In Riverside County, District Attorney Mike Hestrin is leading the charge, taking a no-nonsense approach by charging alleged fentanyl suppliers with homicide. In a groundbreaking move, Hestrin secured a guilty verdict for a fentanyl-related murder, sending a clear message that those who peddle this poison will be held accountable for the lives they destroy.
One such case involved Vicente David Romero, who was found guilty of second-degree murder after providing a lethal fentanyl-laced pill to Kelsey King. The victim, mistakenly thinking the pill was oxycodone, tragically lost her life. Hestrin is using the Watson murder rule, similar to cases involving drunk drivers, to bring these criminals to justice and send a strong deterrent message to others.
While some defense attorneys cry foul, arguing that these murder charges are unconstitutional, it’s clear that Hestrin and his colleagues are standing firm in their mission to protect the people of California. They refuse to let drug suppliers off the hook and believe that tough penalties will serve as a warning to those who profit from the suffering of others.
The resolve to combat the fentanyl crisis is spreading beyond Riverside County, with other leaders recognizing the urgency of the situation. In San Francisco, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is taking a tougher stance, signaling a shift in the progressive stronghold. The recall of her predecessor for being too lenient on crime shows that even in historically liberal areas, the tide is turning in favor of law and order.
Conservatives and centrist Democrats are joining forces to pressure state leaders to address not only the fentanyl crisis but also rising crime and homelessness. The recent anti-crime campaign in Orange County and the public awareness efforts, such as the billboard showcasing fentanyl victims in Sacramento, demonstrate the growing commitment to protecting Californians from the devastating impact of fentanyl overdoses, which claimed over 6,000 lives last year.
As the state’s National Guard seizes massive amounts of fentanyl at the ports of entry, it’s clear that the threat is real, and decisive action is needed. California is standing up to this deadly scourge, and it’s a testament to the resilience and determination of conservative leaders to prioritize the safety and well-being of their communities.
