Opinion
LA area city council member pushes to ditch liberal DA because he’s ‘not doing his job’
One Los Angeles space metropolis council member is proposing that his particular person metropolis take over the prosecution of misdemeanor crimes, because the county district legal professional is declining to prosecute numerous misdemeanors.
Andrew Lara, a council member for Pico Rivera advised Fox Information Digital that he thinks the measure is warranted as a result of Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascón is “not doing his job.”
“We simply can’t sit idly behind and do nothing,” Lara stated. “If I can’t consider methods to guard my neighborhood when it comes to crime, then what am I good for as an elected official? As some of the basic issues that I can do as an elected official is defend my neighbors.”
Lara and one other council member for Pico Rivera requested Metropolis Supervisor Steve Carmona to check the feasibility of hiring a metropolis legal professional to prosecute misdemeanor crimes throughout the metropolis limits.
LOS ANGELES DA GEORGE GASCON RECALL PETITION APPROVED BY COUNTY REGISTRAR
Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascon speaks at a press convention, December 8, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. – Gascon was joined by a gaggle of district attorneys from across the nation on the press convention that was referred to as for the accomplishments of his first yr in workplace.
(Picture by Robyn Beck / AFP)
Cities have the flexibility to prosecute misdemeanor crimes underneath the California structure, however Gascón must log out on any proposal by a metropolis, one thing that Lara thinks could also be onerous.
“I’m not simply going to take a seat idly behind and watch crime skyrocket, watch criminals come and make the most of my neighbors and do nothing,” Lara stated.
LA TRAIN THEFTS: DA GASCON RESPONDS TO UNION PACIFIC CONCERNS
In keeping with the Whittier Every day Information, a newspaper in Los Angeles, the Whittier Metropolis Council additionally voted to direct their metropolis supervisor to check the proposal to rent a metropolis legal professional.
Lara says that since Gascón has grow to be the district legal professional, crime has elevated, but in addition stated that the morale of cops has gone down.
Down city Los Angeles skyline from Kenneth Hahn State Recreatin Space in Baldwin Hills on New Years Day 2022 on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 in Los Angeles, CA.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Instances by way of Getty Pictures)
He recalled a ride-along executed with a police officer the place people have been caught stealing catalytic converters. After a high-speed chase, Lara stated one of many people was caught, however when asking the officer what’s going to occur to the particular person caught stealing, he stated that the person can be again on the road earlier than a proper report is written.
“These officers are on the market risking their lives for crimes comparable to these and these guys are simply strolling the road,” Lara stated.
Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascon speaks at a press convention, December 8, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. – Gascon was joined by a gaggle of district attorneys from across the nation on the press convention that was referred to as for the accomplishments of his first yr in workplace.
(Picture by Robyn Beck / AFP)
Lara additionally stated that there was no neighborhood outreach in his space from Gascón’s workplace, which is one thing he believes is critical and stated that the district legal professional is extra involved with the opinions of particular curiosity teams like Black Lives Matter.
“[Gascón] wants to start out assembly with folks and he must attempt to begin making an argument. In any other case, for as soon as once more, no engagement. They’re simply involved with particular curiosity teams. In the event that they’re involved with Black Lives Matter, they’re involved with what’s with these teams that don’t function in my neighborhood.”
