After looters ransack Bay Area stores, crime rises as 2022 state campaign issue

For evidence that crime will likely be a key issue for California voters in next year’s election, look no further than this weekend.

On Sunday, a pack of looters robbed a jewelry store in a Hayward mall, smashing glass cases and absconding with the valuables into waiting cars. Also Sunday, Walnut Creek police recommended that businesses close early, citing intelligence that the 80 thieves who ransacked a Nordstrom on Saturday night could strike again. Officials labeled the Nordstrom robbery as “organized retail theft” and said it was possibly linked to a series of burglaries...