From Chicago to San Francisco, once-thriving urban centers have been overrun by violent crime, theft, and drug-related offenses, all due to radical progressive policies that seem more focused on safeguarding criminals than protecting and serving law-abiding citizens.

This from thepatriotjournal.com.

Soft-on-crime approaches—like defunding the police, no-bail policies, and lenient sentencing—are wreaking havoc on hard-working Americans who are trying to live their lives in peace.

In cities like New York, businesses are closing, and families are fleeing as crime surges under the watch of Leftist toxic leadership. While criminals roam free, ordinary people are left to fend for themselves. But it does not have to be this way. There is a stark difference between liberal-run cities and conservative-run cities, and liberal-run states and conservative-run states.

NOTE: Law and order still matter.

In red states, where conservative policies prevail, leaders are not afraid to stand up for their citizens and hold criminals accountable. One place where this could not be more obvious is Polk County, Florida, where Sheriff Grady Judd has a very clear message for criminals:

Fool Around and Find Out.

From Fox News:

One of the most politically incorrect sheriffs in America says his strong messaging against criminals has scared would-be looters from messing around in his county during vulnerable times…

Before Hurricane Milton hit, the sheriff’s office marketed a tough-on-crime approach. ‘We published this FAFO sign. ‘Fool Around and Find Out,’ or other words. And we have zero tolerance.’

‘A massive county of 800,000, there’s no reported looting. None,’ he said.

Polk County’s Sheriff Grady Judd has demonstrated what must be done to protect and serve the citizens of his county: Make it be known that criminals—even the smallest offenses—will be met with the full force of the law. Whether it’s stealing a $2.50 soda or committing armed robbery, Judd has made it clear:

You’ll end up in jail if you break the law in Polk County.

And Sheriff Judd is not simply about tough talk; he is all about empowering citizens to protect themselves. In an age when some states and cities are disarming citizens and allowing criminals to walk free, Judd tells his residents to defend their homes with force.

Sheriff Judd encourages citizens to call the police and have the criminals arrested, but if it comes down to it, self-defense is on the table.

Judd stated:

You don’t have to ask them what they’re doing in your house. When they walk into your house, you own them.

In fact, his advice to homeowners dealing with looters or burglars is brutally straightforward:

If you shoot them graveyard dead,

that’s too bad for their luck.

This kind of messaging—clear and unambiguous—sends criminals running in the opposite direction. They know Polk County is not a place to test the limits. As Sheriff Judd stated:

We don’t fool around here.

Sheriff Judd’s firm stance is mirrored across much of Florida, where law and order remain a priority. Under Governor Ron DeSantis, the state has made it clear that crime will not be tolerated.

The liberal blue states choose insanely dangerous ideas like defunding the police, but Florida has continued to stand up for its citizens, prioritizing safety and security over political correctness.

Sheriff Judd’s message to criminals is simple and easy to comprehend:

If you want to commit crime, stay out of Polk County unless you want to go to jail, because we’re going to lock you up quick, and we’re going to keep you there.

And this exactly what Americans living in Leftist-run sh*tholes are missing—leaders who put public safety first.