Utah Ranks No. 5 Safest State Under Governor Cox's Leadership
Governor Spencer Cox of Utah has been actively addressing social media regulation and public safety since taking office in January 2021. Meanwhile, a new WalletHub study ranks the safest states in the U.S., with Utah appearing in the top 10.
The Northeast corner of the U.S. is the safest region, with New England states topping the list due to low crime rates, safe roads, and safe workplaces. Utah, led by Governor Cox, is the only Southwestern state to make the top 10, ranking No. 5 overall. Colorado, however, ranked lower at No. 44.
California, on the other hand, faces significant safety challenges. It has seen a rise in aggravated assaults with firearms since 2018 and ranks toward the very bottom for financial and road safety. Despite voters passing Proposition 36 to make certain thefts and drug charges felonies for repeat offenders, Governor Gavin Newsom is not fully funding it. California ranks No. 38 in overall safety and 47th for personal and residential safety. Neighboring states Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada rank No. 21, No. 27, and No. 30 respectively.
The high recidivism rate in California is another concern. Approximately 4,600 of the 14,800 people released early from prisons and jails during the COVID-19 pandemic returned to prison.
While Utah, under Governor Cox's leadership, has shown commendable safety efforts and rankings, California faces substantial safety challenges that need to be addressed. The varying safety rankings among states highlight the importance of state-specific policies and initiatives.
