LA Major Crime Goes Up as LAPD Officers Shrink

Why are so many people pulling away from a Law Enforcement career in Los Angeles?  Do the “Let the criminals run free” policies of District Attorney George Gascón, some local and state elected officials and The Los Angeles Times have anything to do with this terrible and tragic situation that is putting more people in jeopardy of becoming the next crime victim to be robbed, assaulted or injured while in a public place or even in their home or business…..  

It is clear, by their continuing support, that the L.A. Times supports the “Let them Go” policies of D.A. George Gascón.  In an early April article, the Times headline stated: “Is it fair to blame Gascón alone for L.A.’s violent crime surge?  Here’s what the data shows.”  The answer is YES!  It is the policies implemented by Gascón that have led to the dramatic increase in violent crimes in Los Angeles County.  Some those policies include the following: 

1. The Elimination of cash bail.
2. Ending the use of sentencing enhancements and letting violent criminals off easy, no priors, no guns etc.
3. Declining to prosecute crimes that affect quality of life.
4. Never seeking the death penalty, even in the most egregious cases.
5. Refusing to prosecute juveniles as adults, regardless of the crime or circumstances. 

According to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, crime has been surging since Gascón took office.  

Los Angeles is under a crime siege as reflected in the crimes that are reported on local and national TV news programs.  

1. Follow-home robberies, smash and grab robberies, rail car thefts, and the murders of innocent victims. Among them Jackie Avant murdered in her home. LAPD officer Fernando Arroyos murdered while out with his girlfriend and Brianna Kupfer who was working in a furniture store and murdered by a homeless man.  There are many more that have been victims of serious crime by suspects with lengthy  criminal histories.  

Gascón believes in using “Data and Science” verses the laws established by legislators to hold people accountable for their criminal behavior.  

When the hundreds of L.A. Deputy District Attorneys were asked about the Gascón Recall, 97% voted to support the Recall and remove Gascón from office.  These are dedicated and experienced lawyers who have chosen to prosecute those suspected of both Misdemeanor and Felony crimes.  How can anyone manage an agency or department when nearly 100% of the employees have no confidence in the leader of the department? 

I encourage you to support the Recall of Gascón and sign the petition.      Over 200,000 signatures have been collected and 566,857 are required to trigger the recall election.  

You can download a petition at www.recalldageorgegascon.com.  I encourage you to do it today.     

I am co-chair of the Gascón Recall petition along with relatives of those murdered in L.A. County.   

The latest LAPD COMPSTAT Citywide Profile 

As of 3/26/22, the LAPD Total Number of Sworn Personnel is 9,390.  The LAPD strength was at 9948 on 6/10/17.  That is a reduction of 558 Sworn Personnel in nearly 5 years.  

The crimes comparing 2020 to 2022. 

Increases in the following categories:  Homicide + 23.2%.  Robbery+ 9.75%. Aggravated Assaults + 19.5%.  Burglary + 2.6%.   GTA +43.6%.  Shots Fired +61.6% and Shooting Victims +68.2%.  Arrests are -29.7%.   

Come to America and Los Angeles and see what you can get for FREE. 

My mother Alice always said that money does not grow on trees.  That may have been the case years ago, but it appears that times have changed and so has the distribution of FREE money from government.  Something that has grown in popularity as reflected in the following government programs either under consideration or already implemented. 

1. State Gasoline rebates up to $800 to help offset the price of gasoline.
2. The Gas Rebate Act of 2022 where Americans would receive an energy rebate of $100 per month (and $100 for each dependent) for the rest of 2022 in any month where the national average gas prices exceed $400.00 per gallon.
3. California Covid-19 Rent and Utilities Relief.
4. All 31,000 first graders enrolled in the LAUSD receive a free college savings account of $50.00.
5. $100 million to rescue the struggling legal marijuana industry.
6. Free cell phones to individuals entering the United States illegally.
7. Select Los Angeles County residents to receive $1,000 a month for three years.
8. Los Angeles County will provide FREE access to feminine hygiene products, diapers, and other personal care items. Additionally, UCLA and state universities along with community colleges and middle/high schools will all provide FREE feminine hygiene products on campuses.
9. LADWP $300 million debt relief program to help 250,000 customers with overdue bills.
10. LAUSD Students can use Metro for FREE through June 2023.
11. $40 million dollar L.A. City guaranteed income of $1,000 a month for 3 years to 3,200 L.A. City households.
12. Los Angeles renters can receive up to $10,000 in rent relief through the city’s $259 million COVID 19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
13. A program in San Francisco will pay $300 a month to people at high risk of shooting someone not to pull the trigger to help alleviate rising gun violence in the city. 

Additional FREE MONEY programs are under review at the Federal, State, County and Local government level.

(Dennis P.  Zine is the author of RantZ and RaveZ.  The column is published twice a month to enlighten you on issues impacting Los Angeles and America.  Dennis P.  Zine is a 54 member of law enforcement and a retired elected public official.)