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L.A. County Proclaims May as Croatian American Heritage Month 150 150 Hayley Munguia

L.A. County Proclaims May as Croatian American Heritage Month

Hahn celebrates Croatian Independence Day at Croatian American Hall in San Pedro

Los Angeles, CA — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to officially proclaim May 2025 as Croatian American Heritage Month, celebrating the deep cultural roots and lasting contributions of the Croatian American community—especially in the San Pedro area.

“In my district in San Pedro, I’m proud to represent more than 30,000 residents of Croatian descent—one of the largest Croatian American populations in the nation,” said Supervisor Hahn. “Their story is one of hard work, community, and pride in their heritage, and this month is a chance to celebrate all they’ve done for Los Angeles County.”

Supervisor Hahn lives in and represents the community of San Pedro. Croatian immigrants—largely from the Dalmatian Coast—began to arrive in the area at the turn of the 20th century to work in the harbor’s fishing and canning industries. A second wave of Croatian immigrants arrived after the second world war as refugees from Yugoslavia.

Over the years, the community established cultural institutions like the Croatian American Hall and the Dalmatian American Club. Rudy Svorinich, the first Croatian American to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council, established the sister city relationship between the City of LA and the city of Split, Croatia. San Pedro and the Croatian city of Komiža became official “friendship cities” during Hahn’s time on the Los Angeles City Council. While serving in Congress, Hahn also co-chaired the Congressional Croatian Caucus.

Just last November, Supervisor Hahn traveled to Croatia with Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker to meet with former U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Nathalie Rayes and strengthen cultural and economic ties with the country. During the visit, the group signed an agreement with the Croatian Olympic Committee to host “Croatia House” in San Pedro during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This will serve as a cultural hub and gathering place for Croatian athletes, leaders, visitors, and the local community throughout the Games.

“Hosting Croatia House in San Pedro during the Olympics will be a point of pride for our community,” said Hahn. “It will bring together locals and Croatian visitors together to celebrate Croatian culture, cheer on athletes, and deepen the already strong relationship between Los Angeles and Croatia.”

May also holds special meaning as the month when Croatian Americans celebrate the independence of the Republic of Croatia. This year, the 35th Annual Croatian Independence Celebration will be held on Sunday, May 25 at the Croatian American Hall in San Pedro, featuring traditional food, music, dancing, and a full day of festivities.

Board of Supervisors Passes Hahn Motion in Response to Rising Deaths in LA County Jails 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Board of Supervisors Passes Hahn Motion in Response to Rising Deaths in LA County Jails

Los Angeles, CA — In response to a disturbing rise in in-custody deaths within the Los Angeles County jail system, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors today unanimously passed a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn to initiate a multi-departmental comprehensive plan to address the crisis.

The County has seen one of the deadliest starts to a year in its jail system’s recent history. In the first 20 weeks of 2025 alone, 20 incarcerated individuals have died—more than double the number of deaths during the same period last year—including three in a single day.

“Our jails are in crisis,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We have seen an alarming increase in deaths of people who are in our custody and in our care. We need to take urgent, decisive action to save lives. The aim of this motion is to make sure we understand what is driving this increase and that we address it at a systemic level.”

Deaths have continued to increase despite recent efforts to improve conditions—such as increased medical staffing, greater access to Narcan within jails, and a declining jail population.

The motion directs the Department of Health Services’ Correctional Health Services (CHS) and requests the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) to deliver a comprehensive report within 90 days that includes:
• An implementation plan with clear performance metrics to significantly reduce in-custody deaths;
• An in-depth analysis of the causes and contributing factors behind the increase in deaths, along with recommendations to prevent future loss of life;
• An assessment of how policy or budgetary decisions—such as Proposition 36 or federal cuts to health services—may affect inmate health outcomes.

Additionally, the motion directs the Auditor-Controller and CEO Risk Management, with support from CHS, LASD, and the Medical Examiner, to audit corrective action plans related to in-custody deaths from 2020 to the present and recommend further improvements.

Read full motion: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/202910.pdf

LA County Awarded $65 Million for Mental Healthcare Village at Metropolitan State Hospital 150 150 Hayley Munguia

LA County Awarded $65 Million for Mental Healthcare Village at Metropolitan State Hospital

Hahn in front of vacant buildings at the Metropolitan State Hospital which will become the LA County Care Community

Los Angeles, CA — Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is celebrating that Los Angeles County has been awarded a $65 million state grant to convert unused buildings on the Metropolitan State Hospital (MSH) campus in Norwalk into a mental healthcare village. The grant is part of $3.3 billion voter-approved Proposition 1 funds aimed at building more mental health treatment and housing across California.

“This mental healthcare village is exactly the type of facility voters were thinking of when they approved Proposition 1,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “These buildings are doing no one any good sitting empty and we have a plan to convert them into the Los Angeles County Care Community — a mental healthcare village where we can provide humane, professional treatment and housing to people who desperately need it. This funding is a huge step forward for us and I appreciate the support we have already gotten from our state partners.”

Video: Hahn at Metropolitan State Hospital

The Metropolitan State Hospital is a state-run public hospital located in the City of Norwalk specializing in psychiatric care. The 826-bed hospital is operated by the Department of State Hospitals and has an open campus within a security perimeter on 162 acres of state property.

Under the leadership of Supervisor Janice Hahn, Los Angeles County is seeking to renovate six vacant buildings on the MSH property to develop a new mental health care community that will serve adults and transitional age youth with varying mental health and housing needs.

“We are immensely appreciative of Governor Newsom’s latest announcement to support the residents of Los Angeles County with the investment in the Metro State Hospital. This investment solidifies our shared focus on behavioral health and the wellbeing of all Los Angeles County residents,” said Dr. Lisa H. Wong, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. “With Proposition 1 funding earmarked specifically for the Metro campus, we can increase our capacity to provide the highest level of mental health services and resources to the individuals in our care. This much-needed investment is an important step in providing safe spaces and vital treatment for our county’s most vulnerable populations.”

The $65 million state grant will fund the renovation of two of the six buildings which will become psychiatric subacute facilities for transitional age youth between the ages of 18 and 25. Each of the two buildings will have 16 beds for a total of 32 beds dedicated to this population. The entire care community will have 219 beds and the capacity to treat hundreds of patients every year.

Photo Files
Photo 1 Hahn
Photo 2 Drone Footage of Facility

Hahn Applauds Decision for Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to Host 2028 Olympics Opening Ceremonies 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Applauds Decision for Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to Host 2028 Olympics Opening Ceremonies

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commissioner Janice Hahn is applauding the decision that the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will host Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2028 Olympic Games. Hahn has been outspoken about the importance of the Coliseum to Los Angeles Olympic history and the need to host the Opening Ceremonies in the iconic venue and light its historic Olympic torch.

“Olympic history at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum goes back nearly 100 years—with its Olympic torch and rings, the legacy of the Olympics is literally built into the venue,” said Hahn. “The Coliseum hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies in 1932 and 1984, and it is only right that this iconic venue will once again welcome the world to Los Angeles in 2028.”

Hahn Issues Statement on Selection of Chief Bill Scott to Head New Metro Transit Community Public Safety Department 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Issues Statement on Selection of Chief Bill Scott to Head New Metro Transit Community Public Safety Department

 

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Chair of the Metro Board of Directors and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn released the following statement in support of the selection of San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott to lead the forthcoming Metro Transit Community Public Safety Department:

“Chief Bill Scott’s track record speaks for itself. He leaves San Francisco with crime at its lowest level in decades, and he understands that public safety is about more than enforcement—it’s about service. He has long spoken about officers as guardians, not warriors. That philosophy is exactly what we need on our system—officers who ride with our passengers, who protect them, and who are there to help when people need it most.

As Chair of Metro, my priority is the safety of our riders and our Metro employees. The goal of this new department is to have a seamless approach to public safety, with highly trained sworn officers dedicated to Metro and visible on our buses and trains, mental health professionals responding to anyone in crisis, and compassionate homeless outreach teams who can get people who find themselves on the system the help they need. This is an ambitious undertaking and success starts with leadership.”

Chief Bill Scott’s roots as a police officer are in Los Angeles. He joined the LAPD in 1989 and spent much of his career working in South LA, rising to the rank of Deputy Chief overseeing the LAPD South Bureau.
During Hahn’s Chairship, Metro has added barriers to every bus in the fleet to better protect bus operators, is piloting weapons detection technology to keep guns and knives off the system, added lighting to stations, raised fare gates, and expanded the Tap to Exit initiative.

Supervisors Direct Probation Chief to Consider Oversight Commission’s Recommendations to Reduce Los Padrinos Population 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Supervisors Direct Probation Chief to Consider Oversight Commission’s Recommendations to Reduce Los Padrinos Population

Los Angeles, CA — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath directing Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa to assess recommendations by the Probation Oversight Commission to safely reduce the population of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

On April 18, 2025, Judge Miguel Espinoza ordered the Los Angeles County Probation Department to submit a proposal and timeline to reduce the population of Los Padrinos until the facility can come into compliance with the Board of State and Community Corrections’ regulations.

The Probation Department has made it clear that moving youth to other facilities is the primary strategy they plan to deploy to comply with the Judge’s order. However, there is an opportunity to do more. The LA County Probation Oversight Commission held a special meeting on April 24, where commissioners unanimously approved a broader set of recommendations to safely reduce the population of Los Padrinos.

“The Probation Department is going to need to move youth from Los Padrinos to other Probation facilities, but that shouldn’t be the only strategy we rely on,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Our Probation Oversight Commission has put forward thoughtful recommendations to reduce the number of young people coming into our custody and work with the Courts to identify youth who can and should be safely released with supportive programs or ankle monitors. Our Probation Department needs to consider all these strategies and if there are any they won’t pursue, they need to be transparent about why.”

The Probation Department’s depopulation plan projects that it will reduce incarceration at Los Padrinos from 278 to 175 youth, but during today’s meeting, Supervisor Hahn said she would like to see the population at Los Padrinos go down to fewer than 100.

“In the absence of a clear, transparent, and community-informed plan from our struggling Probation Department, we must rely on the leadership of the Probation Oversight Commission and the meaningful solutions they’ve developed in collaboration with County stakeholders and the public,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. “None of the options before us are perfect, but doing nothing—or simply moving forward with Probation’s inadequate proposal—is unacceptable. I fear we will replicate the same failures in new locations at a time when our youth are counting on us to provide the care and rehabilitation they deserve.”

Hahn and Horvath’s motion directs Chief Probation Officer Viera Rosa to assess the Probation Oversight’s recommendations to reduce the population at Los Padrinos in compliance with Judge Espinoza’s ruling and report back to the commission in writing or verbally at the May 8, 2025 meeting on his assessment including which recommendations are currently being implemented, which can be implemented in the future, and which the Department does not plan to implement and why.

The Probation Oversight Commission’s recommendations that the Probation Department will assess are:
1. Reassessing youth who are currently detained to see if they can be returned to court for potential release with supportive services and/or ankle monitoring
2. Sending youth who have already been sentenced to their court-ordered placements within 24-48 hours
3. Slowing the influx of youth to Los Padrinos by reforming the Intake Detention and Control Division
4. Moving girls and gender-expansive youth awaiting sentencing from Los Padrinos to Dorothy Kirby Center
5. Recommitting to reducing incarceration of girls and gender-expansive youth
6. Moving lower-risk boys awaiting sentencing to Probation camp facilities
7. Evaluating the youth who are currently sentenced to the Secure Youth Treatment Facility to see if any are eligible for step down programs or the State’s Pine Grove Fire Camp

Read the details of the Probation Oversight Commission’s recommendations here: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/POC25-0062.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

Hahn Declares May Stroke Awareness Month 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Declares May Stroke Awareness Month

Hahn announces 2 more Mobile Stroke Units will launch later this month

Supervisor Hahn gets a look inside a Mobile Stroke Unit, which operates through a partnership between LA County and UCLA.

Los Angeles, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to declare May 2025 “Stroke Awareness Month” in LA County.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Worldwide, heart disease is the number one cause of death, with stroke following right after; and having a stroke is the top contributor to long-term disability.

“This is an issue that affects so many families, including my own,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose father suffered a stroke while he was serving on the LA County Board of Supervisors. “When it comes to a stroke, minutes matter. By proclaiming May as Stroke Awareness Month, it is my hope that we can spread the word about the signs and symptoms of a potential stroke, so that people know what to look for and respond quickly.”

Supervisor Hahn has provided and support and funding for a Mobile Stroke Unit, which is a partnership between UCLA and the County of LA. On Tuesday, she announced that this program will be expanded later this month with two more Mobile Stroke Units, for a total of three units to serve LA County.

The Mobile Stroke Unit is a specially equipped ambulance that includes a mobile CT scanner, lab tests, a telehealth connection with a vascular neurologist — everything paramedics need to diagnose and treat a stroke patient quickly, before they even get to a hospital.

“I’m endlessly grateful to Supervisor Janice Hahn and the Board of Supervisors for their leadership in recognizing May as Stroke Awareness Month and for their support in expanding our Mobile Stroke Unit program across Los Angeles County,” said Dr. May Nour, medical director of the UCLA Health Mobile Stroke Unit. “This effort has the potential to significantly improve stroke care by bringing critical emergency treatment directly to patients when minutes matter most, helping us prevent the devastating disabilities that can follow when treatment is delayed.”

“I am truly proud that out of this partnership, and through the leadership of Dr. May Nour and our first responders, the Mobile Stroke Unit has saved countless lives and significantly reduced the risk and harm of long-term disability,” Hahn said. “This is a fitting way to mark May as Stroke Awareness Month, and I am grateful to know that these additional Mobile Stroke Units will save even more lives.”

Hahn’s motion directs LA County Communications and the Departments of Public Health and Health Services to share information with the public, as well as with people who are vulnerable or at risk for a stroke, about the Mobile Stroke Unit and the signs and symptoms of a stroke.

To know if you or someone might be having a stroke, the American Stroke Association recommends using the FAST test:
• Face – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
• Arms – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• Speech – When speaking a simple phrase, is it slurred or difficult to understand?
• Time – If experiencing any of these signs, contact 9-1-1 immediately.

Hahn Issues Statement on Impending SEIU Strike 150 150 Hayley Munguia

Hahn Issues Statement on Impending SEIU Strike

Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has issued the following statement regarding the impending two-day strike of SEIU 721 county workers:

“I think people are going to feel the impact of this strike and it will only underscore the importance of these workers. SEIU workers are nurses at our county hospitals, librarians, social workers and so many more county employees that our residents depend on every day. I hold out hope that both sides can come together so that SEIU workers can have a fair contract, even in the midst of our budget challenges.”

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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