Last year, 378 homeless individuals died in Orange County. Some were in temporary shelters, others on the streets—but none had a stable place to call home. Many were suffering from untreated mental illness or addiction, and most likely refused help. This is not compassion. This is neglect. And we are better than this as a society.

It should be illegal to allow people who are mentally unstable or deep in addiction to live in dangerous conditions—endangering themselves and others—without intervention. We are witnessing the consequences every day, and last week, it nearly cost a deputy her life.

A known homeless individual, flagged in the system, stabbed an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy who was simply checking on him. Thankfully, the deputy survived and was released from the hospital. But this horrifying incident should be a wake-up call. How many more close calls—how many more tragedies—will it take before we say enough is enough? 

This isn’t just a public safety crisis; it’s a humanitarian one. Yet California continues down a failed path.

State leaders have embraced a policy of so-called “Harm Reduction”—handing out free needles and crack pipes under the guise of compassion—and pushed a “Housing First” model that allows drug and alcohol use in taxpayer-funded housing, with little focus on treatment or accountability.

The result? $24 billion spent on homelessness in five years—and the problem has only gotten worse.

We all see it. We all feel it. And we all know this isn’t working.

It’s time to bring back common sense and compassion. That means getting people off the streets and into treatment, not tents. It means changing the laws so that those who clearly cannot or will not care for themselves aren't left to die in parking lots or sidewalks. It means restoring safety to our neighborhoods—and dignity to those who’ve lost their way.

I’ve been endorsed by the San Diego County Deputy Sheriffs Association, the Oceanside Police Officers' Association, and the National Border Patrol Council because public safety is one of my top priorities. If you support that mission, I’d be honored to have your help—whether it’s through a donation or by volunteering on the campaign.

Paid for by Desmond for Congress

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