I'm not. I just saw first hand how you call the cops and no one comes, can't be bothered. Don't leave anything in your car, don't ride your bike or get mugged. Drugged out zombies. I'm good. We were there in and out over a 5y span and I've had enough. How anyone convinces themselves that this is normal.. has Stockholm syndrome.

Since we arrived as foreigners, the locals all have been telling a well rehearsed line of "that's normal for any major urban area". These folks don't know what normal cities are supposed to be like. Clearly they think this as a coping mechanism or because they don't know what they're talking about.

Great things and ideas come from California, but this stuff is the tax paid for that greatness. The social experimental tendencies don't come for free or without consequences.

?? Even the local politician acknowledge crime or at-least super visible crime is up. They have different views of why but they aren't just like "no it's not!".