The sad truth is that California residents must be vigilant at all times. KTLA news reports a series of burglaries in which perpetrators disguise themselves as gardeners to gain access to homes. In San Bernardino County, surveillance footage captured two masked individuals in a black SUV approaching a residence on Stoneview Road in Rancho Cucamonga. They were dressed in attire typical of gardeners, including straw hats, and used this guise to avoid suspicion while entering the property. 

In a similar incident in Upland, thieves disguised as gardeners stole $10,000 in cash and firearms from a home. They posed as delivery personnel before returning in gardening attire to execute the burglary.

What a sad reality we face in California. Do we blame the economy, parents, or simply bad people committing bad acts? Or is it that they believe they can get away with it—emboldened by laws and policies that make the risk worth taking? The punishment for such crimes must be more severe to make would-be criminals think twice.  

Our state must also send a clear message: offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, and district attorneys must follow through with convictions.

But it doesn’t stop there. Those convictions need to be highlighted and publicized to demonstrate accountability and deterrence. While this won’t stop every crime, it will address a significant percentage as we work to tackle the root causes of such behavior.

This pattern is alarming, and it underscores the urgent need for both stricter enforcement and smarter prevention strategies. Californians deserve to feel safe in their homes, and it’s time for our leaders to step up, act decisively, and restore accountability.