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Hahn Announces Phase 2 of Metro Weapons Detection Pilot Program 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Announces Phase 2 of Metro Weapons Detection Pilot Program

Hahn speaks to media at press conference April 28 at the Norwalk Metro Station.

Norwalk, CA – This morning, Chair of the Metro Board of Directors and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced the beginning of Phase 2 of Metro’s Weapons Detection Pilot Program, which began today at Metro’s Norwalk Station on the C (Green) Line and San Pedro Street Station on the A (Blue) Line. Hahn was joined by Metro Board Vice Chair Fernando Dutra, Metro Deputy CEO Sharon Gookin and Metro Deputy Chief of System Security and Law Enforcement Robert Gummer for the announcement at the Norwalk Station, which serves as the eastern terminus of the C Line and a major commuter hub for the Gateway Cities region.

“You can’t take a gun or knife into a Dodger Game, a concert, or a government building, and you shouldn’t be able to bring them on Metro,” said Hahn who first urged the pilot and has championed weapons detection. “Let me be clear: weapons do not belong on Metro. There is no room for compromise on that. My goal is simple but firm: a Metro system where all of our riders feel safe, respected, and confident that they will get to their destination without fear.”

The weapons detection pilot program, using pillar-style scanners, will be conducted by Metro Security Officers at various stations, two stations at a time, for two-month increments, for the next 12 months. Riders will walk between sensors which detect concealed weapons without requiring them to stop and remove any belongings. If flagged by the sensors, riders will be subject to further screenings including a search of their belongings and follow-up questions.

“The Metro Board is committed to helping Metro explore every opportunity to make the system safer for employees and customers,” said Whittier City Council Member and Metro Board First Vice Chair Fernando Dutra. “Testing innovative solutions, such as weapons detection systems, seems like a logical next step in expanding Metro’s safety resources.”

From August through December 2024, Metro conducted the first phase of the weapons detection technology pilot program at Union Station and APU/Citrus College Station in Azusa. In addition to the rider screening process, Metro also tested video analytics systems at Union Station which scan CCTV video feeds in real time to identify threats, including someone brandishing a weapon, and sends alerts to law enforcement. In February, Hahn along with fellow board members Kathryn Barger, Hilda L. Solis, Karen Bass, Fernando Dutra, and James Butts led the Board in expanding the pilot program for this next phase.

“Nothing is more important to Metro than the safety of our employees and customers,” said Stephanie Wiggins, Metro CEO. “The weapons detection pilot is an additional tool to help improve safety on Metro, which includes increasing our uniformed presence on the system, insuring people are only using Metro for transit and working more closely with our city and county partners to address the societal issues of people experiencing homelessness, drug addiction and untreated mental illnesses.”

A report by Metro shows that the passenger screening system technology proved to be effective. While no weapons threats were identified on passengers, the systems detected officers’ service weapons with 100% accuracy. At Hahn’s request, the Board’s February motion also called for Metro to explore bringing the weapons detection technology pilot to the system’s buses. Metro has identified a vendor to conduct the 12-month pilot program on buses and is working to schedule its launch.

336 Guns Collected at Hahn’s Gun Buyback Saturday 150 150 Hayley Munguia

336 Guns Collected at Hahn’s Gun Buyback Saturday

Hahn’s total now at 2,388 guns collected over 14 gun buyback events

Firearms collected at today’s buyback event in Lynwood

Lynwood, CA – Today, a gun buyback sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Century Station and the City of Lynwood collected 336 guns, including 76 rifles and 44 shot guns. The event was held in a parking lot at the Lynwood Metro Station. Residents exchanged any unwanted gun for gift cards without being asked for any identifying information and without leaving their vehicles.

“The rain this morning did nothing to slow down our momentum in getting more of these deadly weapons out of our communities. I’m so thankful to every person who took us up on this opportunity to get unwanted guns away from their families and out of their homes,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Thanks to our event, today there are 336 fewer guns out there that could be accidentally discharged, found by a child, or stolen and used to kill in a crime.”

Today’s event was Hahn’s 14th since May 2022 and the third she has held at the Lynwood Station Park & Ride lot. The event brought in 336 guns, including:
• 211 pistols
• 76 rifles
• 44 shotguns
• 1 ghost gun
• 4 assault weapons
• 35 gun parts and non functioning firearms

At each event, residents can bring in any firearms they have and turn them in exchange for gift cards purchased by Supervisor Hahn’s office. The guns are surrendered completely anonymously and are later destroyed.

Handguns collected at today’s buyback event in Lynwood

Hahn held her previous events in Lynwood, North Long Beach, Norwalk, Wilmington, Long Beach, Hawaiian Gardens, Artesia, Bellflower, Pico Rivera, and Torrance.

Footage of Hahn’s Long Beach buyback event can be found here. Credit: LA36

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Metro Chair Hahn Announces June 6 Opening of LAX Metro Station 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Metro Chair Hahn Announces June 6 Opening of LAX Metro Station

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced that the new LAX/Metro Transit Center Station will open June 6, 2025.

“The wait is nearly over, Los Angeles,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “At long last, we are getting a train to LAX. And when the LAX People Mover finally opens, we will truly have an international airport that connects people from inside the terminals to the world beyond through Metro. Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard on making this happen, and see you at the opening on June 6.”

Hahn made the announcement to applause at the monthly meeting of the Metro Board of Directors.

The LAX/Metro Transit Center Station is a new multi-modal transportation hub located at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street in Los Angeles. The station will offer access to both the Metro K and C Lines as well as a 16-bay bus plaza. It will be a direct connection to the LAX Automated People Mover which will provide seamless access between airport terminals when it opens later this year.

Hahn Releases Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Releases Statement on the Passing of Pope Francis

Then-Congresswoman Janice Hahn welcomes Pope Francis to a Joint Session of Congress in 2015.

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn released the following statement after the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88:

“My heart is with Catholics across Los Angeles County waking up to the heartbreaking news of the passing of Pope Francis. For Catholics, Pope Francis was a spiritual leader, but he reached millions of hearts far beyond the Catholic Church with his words on the greatest challenges facing our world, from war to poverty to climate change to the marginalization of LGBTQ+ people. I had the honor of being present for his address to a joint session of Congress in 2015 and was struck by his humility and kindness.”

Supervisor Hahn was a member of Congress in 2015 when Pope Francis addressed a joint session of Congress. She wrote about the experience in a column in San Pedro Today: https://issuu.com/sanpedrotoday/docs/spt_1115_issuu/20

Hahn Statement on Order to Depopulate Los Padrinos 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Statement on Order to Depopulate Los Padrinos

Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has released the following statement in support of Judge Espinoza’s order to depopulate Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall:

“I support Judge Espinoza’s order to safely and securely depopulate Los Padrinos. There are young people in Los Padrinos who should be moved to alternate facilities, but there are also many who can and should be safely released back home, monitored with ankle monitors, or cared for in community-based placements like a Boys Republic. At this time, my ultimate concern is for the well-being of the hundreds of young people in our care who have not been getting what they need to rehabilitate.”

Hahn Celebrates Long Beach Hosting 11 Olympic Sports 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Celebrates Long Beach Hosting 11 Olympic Sports

Proposes Water Taxi between San Pedro to Long Beach

AquaLink water taxi operated by Long Beach Transit

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is applauding news that Long Beach will host 11 sports in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games – making Long Beach the host of the second highest number of sports of any city in the county after Los Angeles. In light of this news, Hahn is proposing that Metro operate a water taxi from San Pedro to Long Beach during the games.

“Congratulations to Mayor Rex Richardson and the entire Long Beach team on securing 11 Olympic sports that will showcase so much of what makes Long Beach so special,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Long Beach will be the place to be in 2028 and I want us to get creative about how people will get there. I am proposing that Metro operate a water taxi between San Pedro and Long Beach as a fun and innovative way to get people around during the games.”

Long Beach will host everything from beach volleyball at Alamitos Beach, to coastal rowing at the Waterfront, to sport climbing and water polo at the Long Beach Convention Center.
Supervisor Hahn is the current chair of the Metro Board of Directors and chair of Metro’s Ad-Hoc Committee on the Olympic and Paralympic Games. At the next ad-hoc committee meeting, Hahn will introduce a motion to have Metro explore the feasibility of the agency operating a water taxi during the 2028 Summer Games that would ferry attendees and tourists between San Pedro and Long Beach within the breakwater.

“If we really want the 2028 games to be ‘transit-first,’ we have to make transit fun for people and we can’t just rely on buses and trains,” said Hahn. “A water taxi would be a great time for visitors and residents alike and would keep traffic off our bridges.”

Long Beach Transit already operates two water taxi services: the AquaBus, which operates within Rainbow Harbor, and the AquaLink, which connects Alamitos Bay to Rainbow Harbor.

Hahn Celebrates Re-opening of Huntington Park Fire Station 11 months after Severe Fire Damage 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Celebrates Re-opening of Huntington Park Fire Station 11 months after Severe Fire Damage

County’s Internal Services Department led expedited refurbishment

Huntington Park, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn joined Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone, Huntington Park Vice Mayor Eddie Martinez, and other dignitaries for a rededication ceremony of Fire Station 164 in the City of Huntington Park. The station—which serves Huntington Park, Walnut Park, and other surrounding communities across Southeast Los Angeles—has been extensively refurbished by the County’s Internal Services Department since it was severely damaged and nearly destroyed by a fire last year.

“I don’t think in my wildest dreams did I believe we would be back here celebrating the reopening of this station in just 11 months. It’s a testament to the dedication and attention of our County employees who worked hard to bring Station 164 back,” said Hahn. “The brave firefighters at Station 164 have been through a lot this past year, but their commitment to serving these communities never faltered. We could not be more grateful for their continued dedication to the people of LA County.”

Firefighters and paramedics were sleeping in the station’s living quarters when the fire broke out in the early morning hours of May 1, 2024. They were awoken to the sound of a passerby alerting them to a fire in their station. Firefighters could not reach their turnouts and equipment and began fighting the fire in flipflops before getting assistance from firefighters from nearby stations who responded. Thankfully, no one was injured, but multiple firetrucks were destroyed along with much of the station.

“Thanks to the leadership of Los Angeles County Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn and the City of Huntington Park, along with the combined efforts of the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department and the Fire Department’s Construction and Maintenance Division, the rebuilding of Fire Station 164 has been completed,” said County of Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “I am proud to welcome our firefighters back to their fire station, known as the ‘The Big House’.”

After the fire, Hahn pledged her support for getting the station rebuilt as quickly as possible. In August, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion by Hahn to expedite the $16 million rebuild and renovation of the station. With the combined efforts of the Los Angeles County Internal Services Department, the LACoFD Construction and Maintenance Division, and the City of Huntington Park, the refurbishment was completed in record time.

Download full-size images below (credit: Bryan Chan)
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Images from the morning of the fire of damage to the station available here

Hahn Secures $3 Million to Keep Catalina Island Hospital Open 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Secures $3 Million to Keep Catalina Island Hospital Open

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn secured $3 million of available Measure B funding to prevent the imminent closure of Catalina Island Health – the only hospital on Catalina Island. Although the hospital is vitally important as the only source of emergency medical care on the island for Catalina’s residents, workers, and over one million annual visitors, it faces serious financial challenges with insolvency predicted as early as July of this year.

“If Catalina Island Health were to close, it would not only be disastrous to the health and well-being of Avalon residents and visitors, but it would also have a dangerous ripple effect across our county’s emergency medical response system,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “This Measure B funding, approved by taxpayers to preserve trauma centers and emergency rooms, will keep Catalina Island Health’s doors open to patients while we work on a long-term solution to keep this hospital operating and saving lives long into the future.”

Catalina Island Health’s emergency room currently treats an average of 770 trauma patients each year with just 50 trauma patients requiring aerial transport to the mainland. The hospital’s closure would force more helicopter evacuations of trauma patients and cost the County an estimated $14 million each year. There would also be massive delays in treatment and could risk additional injury, harm, and even death to patients.

“The closure of Catalina Island Health would be catastrophic, creating a significant void for Catalina Island residents and visitors in need of essential healthcare and emergency care. The closure would also require a comprehensive plan to address healthcare access as well as costly medical transportation logistics to the mainland creating a financial strain for taxpayers,” said County of Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “I strongly support the allocation of one-time Measure B funds to maintain essential medical care for Catalina Island’s 4,000 year-round residents and 1 million tourists that visit the island annually.”

In addition to being the only emergency room for the island, Catalina Island Health is also the only source for primary, long-term care, and mental health services for the island’s residents, the majority of whom are low-income. It is also the island’s only pharmacy.

Supervisor Hahn with Catalina Island Health CEO Jason Paret and COO Tim Kielpinski

“Catalina Island Health and our entire island community are deeply grateful to Supervisor Hahn, her team, and each member of the LA County Board of Supervisors for understanding our need and providing this critical support,” said Jason Paret, CEO of Catalina Island Health. “This funding will allow us to continue to protect lives with 24/7 emergency care, ensure health equity for our underserved community, and avoid a potential healthcare crisis for LA County.”

Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0, with Supervisor Holly Mitchell absent, to approve Supervisor Hahn’s motion to allocate $3 million in one-time Measure B funding to Catalina Island Health. Measure B is special tax that voters approved in 2002 for the sole purpose of funding the countywide system of trauma centers, emergency medical services, and bioterrorism response.

The motion also incorporated an amendment by Supervisor Kathryn Barger directing the LA County Department of Health Services (DHS) to engage with the administration of Catalina Island Health and report back in writing within 90 days with an analysis of the hospital’s emergency room operations with a detailed breakdown of expenditures, staffing, services, and equipment. DHS will also provide technical assistance to the hospital regarding billing, reimbursement, and other administrative and operational needs related to the emergency room.

County to Explore Registry to Better Evacuate People with Disabilities 150 150 Hayley Munguia

County to Explore Registry to Better Evacuate People with Disabilities

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors have ordered County departments to explore creating a registry to aid in evacuating people with disabilities and older adults with mobility issues during an emergency. Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger—who represents Altadena—brought the motion forward in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades wildfires in January, during which people with disabilities and older adults faced particular difficulties in safely evacuating.

“When the next disaster hits, we need to be better prepared to evacuate people who cannot evacuate themselves,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, who authored the motion “In an emergency, our first responders should know who our most vulnerable residents are, where they are, and how to reach them when minutes matter and lives are on the line.”

“Our County must take decisive action to protect our most vulnerable residents,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger who co-authored the motion. “It is devastating to learn that the average age of the 17 lives lost in the Eaton Fire was 77—a tragic reminder of the urgent need to safeguard seniors and people with disabilities during emergency evacuations. We have a duty to ensure no one is left behind. Today’s motion is a critical step toward strengthening our preparedness and response efforts.”

The board unanimously approved a motion yesterday written by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger directing the LA County Department of Aging and Disabilities in collaboration with the CEO, the Office of Emergency Management, the LA County Fire Chief, and the Sheriff to conduct an unbiased study on a potential registry that could help emergency responders locate and assist older adults and people with disabilities in future emergency evacuation and response efforts. The study will include engaging stakeholders to better understand the needs of older adults and people with mobility challenges, medical conditions, or cognitive impairments during an emergency as well as assessing any legal, technological and privacy concerns.

“The unprecedented community conflagrations in January of 2025 highlighted the critical need for and importance of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable populations during emergencies,” said Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “The County of Los Angeles Fire Department looks forward to collaborating with County, State, and community partners on the feasibility study to examine best practices and to explore the feasibility for Los Angeles County to develop and establish a vulnerable population registry for proactive outreach and rescue during local and widespread disaster emergencies.”

“Given the continuing growth of our older adult population and the number of adults living with disabilities in our county, it is critical that we have an array of options for people to be able to plan for their own wellbeing and safety in an emergency,” said LA County Director of Aging and Disabilities Laura Trejo.

The Department of Aging and Disabilities will report back to the board in 120 days with the results of their assessment and options for a registry or other potential solutions, including recommendations for a proactive emergency notification program and improved data-sharing protocols across relevant agencies to help identify and support individuals who may need evacuation assistance during emergencies.

Supervisors Look to Launch County Hiring Pilot Program for People with Neurodiversity 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisors Look to Launch County Hiring Pilot Program for People with Neurodiversity

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell to explore the feasibility of increasing employment opportunities for individuals with neurodiversity. The County’s Department of Human Resources will work with the Departments of Aging and Disabilities, Economic Opportunity, Library, County Counsel, the Chief Executive Office as well as other relevant County departments and the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities to present a feasibility report on a potential Neurodiversity Hiring Pilot Program. The pilot program will align candidate skills with job requirements to help County departments appropriately match situations and solutions.

“If we want LA County to really be a place of equal opportunity for all, we have to close this gap for people with neurodiversity. Many of them have immense potential and valuable skills to offer but have simply been overlooked in the hiring process,” said Supervisor Hahn, who authored the motion. “This program is going to help us better put the County jobs they are qualified for within their reach.”

Neurodiversity describes the concept that people have different ways of thinking, learning, and behaving. It includes a broad range of conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Cerebral Palsy, Tourette Syndrome, Down Syndrome, speech or language impairment, and hearing loss, among others.

Today’s motion directs the County departments to present a report to the Board in 180 days that will include five categories:

  1. Findings related to the development of a pilot program, including best practices for implementing programs targeted at increasing employment opportunities for individuals with neurodiversity and with intellectual or developmental disabilities
  2. Assessment of reasonable accommodations needed to support neurodivergent individuals in County jobs, and conduct a cost analysis
  3. Identification of Necessary Resources, including internal County resources (e.g., staff and budget) and external support from partner organizations
  4. Sourcing and Recruitment of Job Applicants: In addition to collaboration between the County departments named in the motion, the Supervisors are calling on them to work with external partners including community-based organizations, colleges, and vocational programs that work with individuals with neurodiversity to identify and inform potential applicants about job opportunities within the County
  5. Development of Success Metrics: By including a requirement for County departments to assess the effectiveness of reasonable accommodations for people with neurodiversity and disabilities of different kinds, the program is expected to also identify how they can make County employment more inclusive of people with physical disabilities.