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Esteban Garcia

LA County Search and Rescue Teams Prepare Rolling Hills Estates Homes Impacted by July Landslide Ahead of Hurricane Hilary 150 150 Esteban Garcia

LA County Search and Rescue Teams Prepare Rolling Hills Estates Homes Impacted by July Landslide Ahead of Hurricane Hilary

Rolling Hills Estates, CA — This morning, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn visited the site of last month’s land movement in the City of Rolling Hills Estates, where 10 homes were destroyed by a sudden shift in the hillside early last month. With Hurricane Hilary expected to bring rain and high winds to Southern California tomorrow and Monday, crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department began a process of entering all 12 red-tagged homes.

“The County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s specially trained urban search and rescue (USAR) team worked diligently throughout today to remove household hazardous products and personal items from red-tagged homes impacted by the land movement event that occurred in Rolling Hills Estates on Saturday, July 8, 2023,” said Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “I am grateful our USAR team was also able to use this opportunity to bring some comfort to affected residents by retrieving and ensuring cherished heirlooms, photos, and other mementos found their way home to families.”

A total of 12 structures were red-tagged, including the 10 homes destroyed in the land movement and two others that have not moved but that are at risk. On July 8, residents were given 20 minutes to evacuate and have not reentered their homes since.

“These residents had just minutes to evacuate. They left behind family heirlooms, passports, birth certificates, treasured belongings. Today LA County is doing everything we can to try to help them recover some of those items,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “They lost not only their belongings and their homes but the land itself. We hope that getting some important items back will really help as they continue the long process of recovering.”

In addition to the personal belongings retrieved, the USAR teams were searching for and removing hazardous materials from homes, including cleaning products. With Hilary expected to bring heavy rain, those toxic substances could be washed out to sea, presenting a risk to beaches and marine life.

RHE Hilary

Structural engineers from LA County Public Works are also on site to help in the effort. They are continuously evaluating the site for land movement, ensuring that conditions remain safe before the USAR teams enter the structures.

“LA County Public Works has been supporting the City of Rolling Hills Estates as they assist their residents during this difficult time. Public Works is providing geotechnical and structural support to the LA County Fire USAR team to maximize safety as they retrieve household hazardous waste to prevent it from going into the ocean during the storm, and to retrieve irreplaceable items for the residents who have already lost so much,” said Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, PE.

Representatives from the City of Rolling Hills Estates were also present, and have worked closely with the LA County Fire Department since the land movement.

“The City of Rolling Hills Estates is grateful to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue Team for their recovery mission on Peartree Lane,” said Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Britt Huff. “This operation to collect household hazardous waste from the homes was critical to protecting the environment ahead of the anticipated rain this weekend, and I know our residents appreciated the retrieval of some personal items as well. We also thank Supervisor Hahn and her office for the continuous support and dedication of County resources.”

Supervisor Hahn to Hold Gun Buyback in Artesia Saturday 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Supervisor Hahn to Hold Gun Buyback in Artesia Saturday

Artesia, CA—On Saturday, August 19, 2023, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn will hold a gun buyback event in Artesia in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the City of Artesia. The drive-thru event will be held from 10am to 2pm in the parking lot of the Artesia branch of the LA County Public Library at Artesia Park. It gives residents an opportunity to exchange any gun for gift cards, no questions asked. The event’s location near the junction of the 91 and 605 freeways offers easy access for residents from across the Gateway Cites region.

“No one is safer with a gun in the home. It can be stolen and used in a crime, it can fall into the hands of children, it can discharge accidentally. We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to exchange guns they no longer want, and help keep their families and communities safe,” said Hahn. “I’m glad to be able to bring this opportunity to Artesia.”

The event marks the sixth gun buyback that Hahn has held since last May across her district. Altogether the events have collected over 1,120 guns.

There are important guidelines to participating in the buyback that ensure the safety of the public and LASD officers. Participants should not arrive on foot or transit, and should transport firearms unloaded and in the trunk of a vehicle.

Supervisors Approve $130 Million for Stormwater Capture Projects 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Supervisors Approve $130 Million for Stormwater Capture Projects

Los Angeles, CA—Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the distribution of $130,455,070 to Los Angeles County Public Works for stormwater capture projects through the Safe, Clean Water project. $42,404,419 of those dollars will go toward projects in 13 cities in the Fourth District. Safe, Clean Water funds are generated by the Measure W parcel tax passed by voters in 2018.

“The wet winter we had this year and the hot summer we’re in now are red flags: our weather is becoming more unpredictable. That means our traditional sources of water will be less reliable. This historic investment in capturing stormwater under communities across LA County is setting us up to meet this moment,” said Chair of the Board Janice Hahn.

Two Safe, Clean Water projects are already under construction by Los Angeles County Public Works in Hahn’s district. In February, Hahn broke ground on a 6.4 million gallon underground and above-ground runoff capture system at Adventure Park in South Whittier. There is also a stormwater capture component to a new park currently under construction in the unincorporated community of Walnut Park, which will open later this year. The underground infiltration will capture water from an area of more than 31 acres surrounding the park.

“The funds approved today by the Board of Supervisors will go a long way towards ensuring all Los Angeles County residents have access to safe, clean, and reliable water resources,” said Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella P.E.

Among the cities receiving the largest funds are Paramount, with a total of $11,618,308 for stormwater capture projects are Progress Park and Spane Park, Bellflower, with $5,632,570 for John S. Simms and Carruthers Parks, and La Mirada, with $5,752,200 for the La Mirada Creek Park Project.

Click here for a complete list of projects in the Fourth District, including in the cities of Downey, South Gate, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Long Beach, Artesia, La Habra Heights, Los Angeles, Lomita, and Torrance.

Supervisor Hahn Will Host National Night Out Event in South Whittier Tuesday 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Supervisor Hahn Will Host National Night Out Event in South Whittier Tuesday

South Whittier, CA – On Tuesday August 1, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn will host a National Night Out event at Mayberry Park in South Whittier. The event will feature a public safety display, food vendors, games, live music, and a chance for residents to meet deputies from the South Whittier Sheriff’s Station.

“Our Sheriff’s deputies are valued members of the communities they serve across LA County, and residents are important partners in keeping our neighborhoods safe. National Night Out is a great opportunity for residents to meet the deputies who serve their neighborhood and learn about all of the resources available to them in that partnership,” said Supervisor Hahn, who represents South Whittier.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna will join Hahn for a brief program at the event. The event begins with a Peace March from the Community Resource Center (10750 Laurel Ave.) to Mayberry Park.

Who: Supervisor Janice Hahn

Sheriff Robert Luna

Director Norma Garcia, LA County Department of Parks and Recreation

What: National Night Out March and Rally Against Crime

When: Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 5:30pm – 8:00pm

5:30pm – Peace March begins

6:00pm – Event begins

Where: Mayberry Park

13201 E Meyer Rd.

Whittier, CA

$321 Million in State Funds Coming to Los Angeles County for Mental Health Housing 150 150 Esteban Garcia

$321 Million in State Funds Coming to Los Angeles County for Mental Health Housing

Los Angeles, CA – This morning, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Chair Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to accept $321,189,238 in state funds for the creation of housing beds for unhoused people experiencing serious mental health and/or substance abuse challenges. The funds come from the state’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, and will be prioritized for participants in the County’s Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Court program which will launch this December.
“We’re just six months from getting our mental health and substance abuse CARE Court up and running in Norwalk and having dedicated housing with treatment available for unhoused clients is going to be essential,” said Chair of the Board Janice Hahn. “CARE Court is a massive undertaking and I appreciate the State for coming through for us with this funding so that we can make sure we are prepared with the beds and treatment these clients will need on day one.”
The vote authorizes the County’s Department of Mental Health to accept $259,280,749 in funds, and the Department of Public Health to accept $61,908,489. Dr. Lisa Wong, Psy.D., Director of Mental Health, and Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of Public Health, answered questions from supervisors about potential uses for the funds. Dr. Wong emphasized that this funding would go to projects that can get up and running quickly. The Departments are now able to move forward quickly with releasing the solicitation, entering into contracts with providers, and begin hiring as needed.
“These funds will go a long way in helping our county get CARE Court ready,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We will significantly expand the number of beds and housing subsidies that we can use to support and heal our homeless residents experiencing severe mental illness and addiction. This funding commitment from the state will help us make sure more beds are available to residents, countywide. We need to continue building up our infrastructure so we can provide equal access.”
Los Angeles County is among the first cohort of counties expected to implement its CARE Court program, with an opening date of December 1 of this year. CARE Court, which will operate out of the Los Angeles County Superior Courthouse in Norwalk, will serve people experiencing serious mental health disorders through court-ordered care that could include medications, wellness and recovery supports, and connection to social services and housing.

Supervisor Janice Hahn and Assemblymember Lisa Calderon Announce Joint Effort to Establish First LGBTQ+ Community Center in Whittier 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Supervisor Janice Hahn and Assemblymember Lisa Calderon Announce Joint Effort to Establish First LGBTQ+ Community Center in Whittier

484048 LGTBQ Center Site Visit 06-14-23 (Photo by Bryan Chan / Los Angeles County)

Whittier, CA – Today, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn and California State Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier) are announcing a plan to create a LGBTQ+ Service Center in the City of Whittier. The center will be established in an existing LA County building at 7639 Painter Avenue. Assemblymember Calderon secured $4.2 million in the state’s budget to support the creation and operation of the future center.

“The LGBTQ+ residents of Whittier and surrounding areas have always had to travel far to find dedicated LGBTQ+ spaces. There just isn’t anything like that in this area. That’s going to change when this center opens. When this space became available, I knew we had to snatch it up,” said Chair Hahn, who represents Whittier and who recently visited the construction site. “At a time when the rhetoric of hate across our country is louder than ever, LGBTQ+ centers like the one we’re building here are lifelines for this community. I’m thankful for Assemblymember Calderon’s work to secure the state funding we needed to make this a reality.”

LGBTQ Whittier

The property, which already belongs to the County and has sat empty since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, consists of a single-story building of approximately 2,694 square feet and a surface parking lot. It is currently undergoing previously planned upgrades by Los Angeles County Public Works.

“It is important to bring resources to my district that help our communities thrive. That is why I am pleased to partner with Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn to establish a new LGBTQ+ Center in Whittier,” stated Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, Whittier resident and representative for the state’s 56th Assembly District. “I was thrilled to advocate for this project in the legislature, which will support the livelihoods of my constituents and individuals in the region through the creation of a safe and supportive space for all!”

At the direction of Supervisor Hahn, the County’s Internal Services Department is already conducting evaluations of the site’s ADA accessibility, building systems, designs, costs, and programmatic needs for the future center. The Internal Services Department will next provide the Board of Supervisors with cost and timeline estimates.

150 150 Esteban Garcia


I know that public safety has become a top concern for many residents of the Palos Verdes Peninsula communities. I have heard concerns from many about recent property crimes. I have invited Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna to a town hall meeting in RPV next month so we can hear more about the issues you’re facing and discuss possible solutions going forward.

RSVP by email at fourthdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov, or call (310) 519-6021.

Supervisors Direct County Staff to Prepare for CARE Court Launch 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Supervisors Direct County Staff to Prepare for CARE Court Launch

County will use Emergency Declaration to Hire Needed Staff Quickly

Los Angeles, CA – Today, led by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to direct staff to prepare for the launch of CARE Court on December 1, 2023. CARE Court, a new initiative championed by Governor Newsom and passed into law by the State Legislature, aims to fix the ongoing challenge of getting people with severe mental illness the support and care they need.
“We have been struggling for decades to figure out a way to get real, compassionate help to people with severe mental illness, and I believe CARE Court could be the missing piece of the puzzle,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Our December 1 launch date is coming up quickly and there is plenty of work we need to do to be prepared to provide CARE Court clients with the care they need and support their concerned family members on day one.
CARE Court will provide upstream treatment opportunities to individuals suffering from severe mental health disorders, especially schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorders, and are unable to make their own medical decisions by authorizing specified people, like family members, to petition a civil court to create a CARE plan for that individual.
“This motion is about our County proactively preparing for CARE Court. Staffing up is key so that we’re ready to help the gravely disabled – they’re the intended clients and their needs are complex. Our Department of Mental Health is the lead implementation agency and I support moving forward, but there are still a lot of questions about how referrals will be accepted and managed that need to be answered. A lot of good can be achieved. We need to work in close partnership with the state so we get this right and are set up to succeed. We can’t squander this opportunity.”
The Board passed a motion today, authored by Hahn and Barger, directing the LA County Department of Mental Health to recruit and hire new employees to support the CARE Court program and use the Board’s emergency authority under the recently declared Homelessness Emergency to expedite hiring. The motion also directs County staff to identify potential properties and facilities that are needed to support CARE Court, to develop a referral system to connect CARE Court clients with substance use treatment, to implement a peer supporter program for CARE Court participants, and to report back in 90 days with progress made towards CARE Court implementation.
“December 1st is just around the corner and so much needs to be done,” commented Mike Molina, who serves on the LA County Commission on Mental Health. “We need emergency appointments. We need treatment facilities identified, prepared and staff hired. We need coordination with the courts and all agencies involved. And we need a full and comprehensive communications plan so that County residents clearly know the options and services offered to them through CARE Court. This Motion is just what we need to fast-track the work ahead in the next six months.”
Under SB 1338, every county in the state must implement CARE Court. The County of Los Angeles will be part of the first group of California counties to implement CARE Court starting with one courtroom and one judge in the LA County Superior Court Courthouse in Norwalk.
Governor Newsom’s May Revision to the state budget proposes to allocate $15 million to Los Angeles County to implement CARE Court. The revision also identified $151 million in ongoing funds to support CARE Courts statewide although LA County’s allocation is unknown at this point.
Today’s motion passed in a 4-1 vote with Supervisors Janice Hahn, Kathryn Barger, Hilda Solis, and Holly Mitchell voting for the motion and Supervisor Lindsey Horvath voting against it.

LBPD gun buyback June 150 150 Esteban Garcia

LBPD gun buyback June

We know that when guns are present, our homes and communities are less safe. While we continue to demand action from Congress, I am doing everything in my power to reduce the number of guns on our streets. This is an opportunity for residents to participate in making their own communities safer.

This event is totally anonymous. We will not ask for any information from you.

There are important guidelines to participating in the buy-back that ensure the safety of the public and LBPD officers. Firearms must be brought unloaded in the trunk of a vehicle and are not permitted on any Metro or Long Beach Transit vehicle. Pedestrian walk-ups will not be accepted. Participants can choose from an assortment of gift cards, including gift cards that can be redeemed on Amazon.

Board Declares June 2nd Gun Violence Awareness Day in LA County 150 150 Esteban Garcia

Board Declares June 2nd Gun Violence Awareness Day in LA County

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared June 2, 2023, Gun Violence Awareness Day in Los Angeles County. The declaration, brought forward by Chair of the Board Supervisor Janice Hahn and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, is meant to draw attention to the devastation caused nationwide by gun violence and urge Congressional leaders to act.

“The nationwide gun violence crisis continues to plague our community,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Just last week, Long Beach lost 12-year-old Eric Gregory Brown III in a senseless drive-by shooting.  We know that so many of these deaths are preventable and if we hope to ever get action from Congress, we can’t stay quiet. We have to demand action for the sake of our children.”

The proposal to declare Gun Violence Awareness Day came to Hahn’s office from Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization that advocates for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence. June 2nd is significant because it is the birthday of Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old girl from Chicago who was playing in a park with her friends when she was tragically shot and killed, just one week after performing at President Obama’s inauguration in 2013.

“Enough is enough,” said Supervisor Solis. “We need real solutions and real action.  I am proud of our collective record of standing with victims and survivors of gun violence and fighting for responsible gun safety. And in proclaiming June 2nd as Gun Violence Awareness Day, we are showing our over 10 million residents, our over 100,000 employees, and the nation, that LA County will continue to demonstrate its support to making our communities safer.”

Members of the organization testified at today’s Board Meeting, urging residents to wear orange on June 2nd. Orange was selected because it is the color hunters wear to prevent themselves from being shot.

At today’s meeting, Moms Demand Action volunteer Heather Jones spoke to the board about heartbreaking questions she got from her six and ten-year-old children who worried they would be shot and asked where they could be shot and still live.

Supervisor Hahn has led the effort at the Board to put in place new gun violence prevention ordinances that put new regulations on gun dealers and prevent the sale of .50 caliber weapons and ammunition. She has also held gun buyback events across her district which have taken 814 guns off the streets.  Hahn’s next gun buyback is in coordination with the Long Beach Police Department on June 10, 2023, from 7:00am-5:00PM at MacArthur Park located at 1321 E Anaheim St, Long Beach.  Residents are encouraged to turn in firearms in exchange for gift cards– no questions asked.