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Emily Lintner

Hahn Calls for Probation Chief’s Resignation 150 150 Emily Lintner

Hahn Calls for Probation Chief’s Resignation

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn released the following statement:

“Yesterday, the Probation Oversight Commission voted 5-2 to call for Los Angeles County Probation Chief Adolfo Gonzales’s resignation. I agree with them. I have lost confidence in Chief Gonzales’s ability to run our Probation Department. His ineffective leadership is hurting both the youth in our care and our staff who deserve better. I believe the best way forward is for Chief Gonzales to step down.”

Supervisor Hahn Urges Small Businesses and Nonprofits to Seek New Employment Opportunity Grants 150 150 Emily Lintner

Supervisor Hahn Urges Small Businesses and Nonprofits to Seek New Employment Opportunity Grants

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) launched Phase Two of the Economic Opportunity Grant program, expanding the $54 million grant program from serving microbusinesses to include small businesses ($15,000 or $20,000 per grant) and nonprofits ($20,000 or $25,000 per grant). DEO launched Phase One on January 25, 2023, initially accepting applications only from the County’s smallest and most vulnerable ($2,500 per grant).

The $54 million are made up of both federal funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and state funds through the California Office of Small Business Advocate. The program will give 6,800 grants in a continuous rollout to regions and organizations adversely affected by COVID-19.

“Through no fault of their own, small businesses and nonprofits across the county were devastated by the pandemic,” said Janice Hahn, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “These grants are designed to help. If you own a small business or operate a nonprofit, this might be just what you were looking for.”

Venegas Technologies, based in the City of Bell, is one of the recipients of an Economic Opportunity Grant. The business provides IT services to other small businesses. Founder Saul Venegas joined the Board of Supervisors and the Department of Economic Opportunity and its partners this morning for the press conference announcing the Phase Two launch. Venegas estimates that he lost 1/3 of his business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of that from restaurant closures. His $2,500 grant will help Venegas Technologies recover from that impact.

Applicants can visit grants.lacounty.gov to access live and multilingual webinars, instructional how-to-apply videos and demos, one-on-one application support, and in-person support events across the County to verify eligibility and submit successful applications.

County Breaks Ground on Stormwater Capture Project under Adventure Park 1024 731 Emily Lintner

County Breaks Ground on Stormwater Capture Project under Adventure Park

South Whittier, CA — Today, with a storm on the way, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn joined Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella and Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation Director Norma Edith Garcia-Gonzalez to break ground on an innovative $41.2 million project to build a stormwater capture system under Adventure Park in South Whittier. The project is part of a countywide effort led by the Department of Public Works to capture, treat, and store rainwater and make our region more drought resilient.

“This winter has been one of our wettest in years and every time it rains, residents say they want to see us capture more of that stormwater and put it to good use,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “You won’t notice this project when it’s done, but it is one of the project voters had in mind when they passed Measure W and will allow us to fortify our water supply and be better prepared for coming droughts.”

The $41.2 million Adventure Park Multi-Benefit Stormwater Capture Project consists of a 6.4-million-gallon capture system almost entirely underneath the park that will capture, clean and conserve stormwater to improve water quality, reduce flooding, and increase regional water resiliency.

“Through the Safe Clean Water Program, we’re systematically unpaving LA County to capture, clean and conserve more of our precious rainwater,” said Public Works Director Mark Pestrella. “Within the next five years, we’ll be able to capture another 18.5 billion gallons of stormwater a year. Enough to serve 500,000 people.”

The project will also make investments in Adventure Park itself with improvements to park exercise equipment, walking paths, sports field, restrooms, and outdoor seating areas.

“I am proud that once again Parks can play a pivotal role in stormwater capture benefitting the unincorporated community of South Whittier. Adventure Park has truly become a multi-facilitated park, serving as a place for the community to come together above while aiding in drought relief,” said Norma Edith García-González, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and the Regional Parks and Open Space District. “Our Department has always championed multi-benefit projects that support community and environment and with the groundbreaking of this project, we continue that pledge”.

Much of Adventure Park will be closed during construction. At the groundbreaking Supervisor Hahn thanked South Whittier residents for their sacrifice so that the entire county could benefit from this project.

The project is funded through $16.5 million from the County’s Safe, Clean Water Program via taxes collected through voter-passed Measure W, a $15 million grant from CalTrans, and $9.7 million in County Stormwater Capital Project funding.

Supervisor Hahn Issues Statement on Findings of Inadequate Exide Plant Cleanup in East and Southeast Los Angeles 150 150 Emily Lintner

Supervisor Hahn Issues Statement on Findings of Inadequate Exide Plant Cleanup in East and Southeast Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA — Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn reacted to recently released findings that show a cleanup of residential areas near the former Exide battery recycling plant by the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control failed to reduce the amount of lead in soil to levels deemed safe. Hahn attended a community meeting held Monday evening by East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice where residents received information on the status of the cleanup and shared their own experiences.

“I first want to thank East Yard for holding yesterday’s community meeting, this press conference, and most importantly for never letting this issue drift out of our attention.

“I also want to thank the research teams at USC and Occidental College. Your commitment to the truth, along with the collaboration of the LA Times has shed light on a wrong that must be made right.

“It’s our duty as elected leaders to meet the moment where others have failed. The greed of Exide leadership and the decision to turn their backs on these communities led to what can only be described as an environmental and public health disaster. Now, a flawed cleanup process by the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control has added salt to a deep wound.

“Home is meant to be our safest space. To the residents whose homes remain contaminated with unacceptable levels of toxic substances: I’m angry too. This cleanup has failed to meet the standards that keep your families safe.

“I attended last night’s community meeting here along with several members of my staff. We witnessed firsthand that frustration that so many residents expressed. We hear it, we share it, and we’re committed to taking action. At our next meeting on February 28, the Board of Supervisors will vote on a motion I introduced along with my colleague Supervisor Solis to call on DTSC to meet their responsibilities and provide a full and effective cleanup.

“We can’t undo the actions of others that led us here, but I’m committed to doing everything in my power to get this cleanup back on track.”

During a Tuesday morning press conference held by East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Hahn’s office delivered the following remarks in Spanish to affected residents:

“To the residents who have been impacted by this disaster, I share your anger and indignation. You’re now experiencing an injustice born out of greed, thanks to a company that got rich and then turned their backs. Today you experience another injustice, thanks to an inadequate cleanup process that continues to expose the health of your families to an unacceptable risk.

“Yesterday I attended the community meeting and I witnessed the feelings expressed by these communities. I want to make it clear that we hear you, and that I am committed to doing everything possible within my power to take the necessary steps. When it comes to the health and wellbeing of your families, the challenges ahead will not impede our efforts to produce the solutions that you’ve waited for for so long.”

New Paramedic Assessment Unit will Shorten Response Times in Whittier 1024 682 Emily Lintner

New Paramedic Assessment Unit will Shorten Response Times in Whittier

Whittier, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn joined Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, members of the Whittier City Council, and Interim Chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Anthony Marrone to officially welcome a new Paramedic Assessment Unit to Fire Station 28. The new unit is shortening paramedic response times to medical emergencies in the Whittier area.

“My father started the first paramedic unit here in LA County because he knew that minutes matter in a medical emergency,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Our residents need to know that no matter where they live, when they call 9-1-1, help is on the way– fast.”

The greater Whittier area has recently experienced a significant rise in emergency calls which had strained local fire stations and led to longer paramedic response times in the region. Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri, Councilmember Cathy Warner, and other Whittier leaders brought their concerns to Supervisor Hahn who worked with Interim Fire Chief Marrone to develop this new paramedic assessment unit.

“The addition of the new Paramedic Assessment Engine at Station 28 will allow Whittier residents greater peace of mind knowing that a paramedic is less than four minutes away,” said Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri. “Our partnership with the Los Angeles County Fire Department has only grown in recent years,” noting the community’s positive reception of the Paramedic Assessment Engine deployed at Station 59 in 2018. “Working together to launch this critical resource at another Whittier station was a top priority.”

Paramedic Assessment Units are staffed by a paramedic as well as emergency medical technician partners. The new Paramedic Assessment Unit was launched at Station 28 in December 2022 and is actively responding to medical calls and shortening response times.

Supervisors Support Changes to Historically Discriminatory Blood Donation Guidelines 150 150 Emily Lintner

Supervisors Support Changes to Historically Discriminatory Blood Donation Guidelines

Los Angeles, CA – On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to send a five-signature letter to Federal Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert M. Califf to express support for the newly proposed FDA guidelines that ease the federal agency’s discriminatory blood donor policy. Current blood donation policies take sexual orientation into account when determining eligibility for blood donation. The new guidelines would eliminate the current restrictions based on sexual orientation and replace them with a risk-based questionnaire for all blood donors.

“For decades, gay and bisexual men who were already being marginalized in so many other areas of life have also been excluded from donating blood. That policy is outdated and irresponsible,” said Chair Janice Hahn, who authored the motion. “Limiting who is allowed to safely donate blood makes the work of saving lives harder. Today, all donated blood is rigorously tested to detect blood-borne diseases, including STIs. To continue denying people the ability to donate blood based on their sexual orientation is not only discriminatory, it’s unscientific.”

The motion underscores that “these new guidelines do not remove all existing restrictions on LGBTQ blood donors, but they represent a step in the right direction and should be supported by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.”

“I am happy to see that the Food and Drug Administration is addressing policies that have discriminated against gay and bisexual men from donating blood – an important and much-needed public service,” said the motion’s coauthor Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “I hope that this is simply the beginning and that the guidelines continue to expand equitable access to life-saving blood donation, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.”

Current blood donor policy requires gay or bisexual men to abstain from sex for a minimum of three months before they can donate blood. The roots of the policy date back to the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s, in an era when HIV was poorly understood by scientists and doctors. For years, the American Medical Association has been calling on the FDA to remove this discriminatory ban and treat all potential blood donors equally.

Supervisors Strengthen Gun Regulations in wake of Monterey Park Mass Shooting 1024 683 Emily Lintner

Supervisors Strengthen Gun Regulations in wake of Monterey Park Mass Shooting

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Los Angeles, CA – In response to the mass shooting in the City of Monterey Park that took the lives of 11 people, today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a series of motions authored by Chair Janice Hahn, Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, and Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath to strengthen gun regulations in Los Angeles County and support federal and state gun safety legislation. This follows the Board of Supervisors’ recent action to declare gun violence a public health crisis in Los Angeles County.

“We know that blame for the gun violence epidemic lies with the failure of Congressional leaders to pass even the most basic federal gun laws. Because they have not acted — we have found actions we can take at the county level to protect lives,” said Chair Hahn.

“I intend to do whatever is possible to protect Los Angeles County residents, particularly following the tragedy in the First District community of Monterey Park. Gun-related violence will continue to cause mass damage, trauma, and harm if we do not take the necessary steps at all levels of government. This includes supporting key gun safety legislation like Senator Feinstein’s recent action to reinstate the assault weapons and high capacity magazine ban. Today, living in the United States of America means being at risk of becoming a victim of a mass shooting. To that end, time is of the essence,” said Supervisor Solis.

“We must do absolutely everything in our power to prevent and put an end to gun violence in our community. Today’s motions do exactly that,” said Supervisor Horvath. “I’m proud to advance common sense gun safety guidelines and to join my Board colleagues in our continued demand to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.”

Item 2: Establishing Ordinances to Enhance Gun Regulation in Los Angeles County
Item 2, which was authored by Chair Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Solis, includes four new county ordinances:

  1. Establishes ordinance to prohibit the sale of .50 caliber firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated areas of the County
  2. Establishes ordinance to prohibit the possession of firearms on County property, such as parks, beaches, and County buildings, with certain exceptions or law enforcement and active military.
  3. Directs the LA County Department of Regional Planning to prepare an ordinance to implement zoning regulations with a 1,000 feet buffer between firearm sellers and child-sensitive areas like parks and schools.
  4. Directs the Treasurer and Tax Collector to prepare the final amendments to the County code regarding business licenses to place commonsense regulations on firearm and ammunition dealers in unincorporated areas of the County. This would include requirements for gun stores to keep fingerprint logs, install and maintain security cameras, prohibit minors from entering areas where firearms are sold, and maintaining an inventory of firearms.

Item 8: Support for Key Federal Gun Safety Legislation to Ban the Sale of Assault Weapons
Item 8, authored by Supervisor Solis and co-authored by Chair Hahn, directs the County’s Chief Executive Office’s Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations branch to send a five-signature letter to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, with a copy to the Los Angeles County Congressional delegation, in support of S.14 and S. 25 ─ legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase assault weapons from 18 to 21 and ban the sale, transfer, manufacture, and importation of military-style assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and other high-capacity ammunition feeding devices.

Item 15: Strengthening Gun Regulations in Los Angeles County
Item 15, authored by Supervisor Horvath, instructs County Counsel to draft an ordinance and report back to the Board of Supervisors on requiring all firearms in a residence be securely stored in a locked container or disabled trigger lock and draft ordinance language that would mandate liability insurance for gun owners. The motion also requests the feasibility of implementing a County gun database and asks that the Treasurer and Tax prepare an amendment to the County code requiring signs to be displayed with specific language warning customers about the risk associated with access to firearms wherever they are sold.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column]
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Hahn Partners with Boys and Girls Club to Open New Youth Center in Pico Rivera 150 150 Emily Lintner

Hahn Partners with Boys and Girls Club to Open New Youth Center in Pico Rivera

Pico Rivera, CA—Yesterday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn was in Pico Rivera to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Boys and Girls Club of Pico Rivera Clubhouse. The new youth center was made possible by a $300,000 grant from Supervisor Hahn which covered necessary renovations to the building. The new clubhouse was created in what was an unused 3,200 square foot building adjacent to Ruben Salazar Continuation School.

“This new Boys and Girls Club youth center is going to be a safe space young people can come after school and during summer vacation,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “They will be able to hang out with their friends, get homework help, or meet with a mentor. This is the kind of support that can make all the difference in a young person’s future.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Whittier and Pico Rivera provides after-school and summer programs for young people that emphasize academic success, the development of good character, and the formation of healthy lifestyles. The new clubhouse is meant to be a place where any young person can find safety and encouragement.

Hahn was joined by Pico Rivera Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Lara, and Councilmembers Gustavo Camacho and Johnny Garcia.

Hahn Reacts to Video of Huntington Park Police Shooting of Anthony Lowe 150 150 Emily Lintner

Hahn Reacts to Video of Huntington Park Police Shooting of Anthony Lowe

Huntington Park, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has released a statement reacting to a video showing the moments before Huntington Park police officers shot and killed Anthony Lowe. Lowe had previously had both of his legs amputated and was armed with just a knife when he was shot in the back.

“I fully support the Sheriff department’s investigation into the officers who shot and killed Anthony Lowe and I urge the Sheriff to ensure the investigation is thorough and that the results are made public as quickly as possible. I hope that their investigation shows that these officers could have and should have used different tactics in subduing this double amputee besides resorting to shooting this double amputee in the back and killing him. The public is crying out for law enforcement to use other strategies to deescalate situations.”

Supervisor Hahn to Host Gun Buy-Back Event in Wilmington 150 150 Emily Lintner

Supervisor Hahn to Host Gun Buy-Back Event in Wilmington

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