Update: RVs on Santa Fe Ave in Walnut Parkhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
This morning, we brought LA County’s Pathway Home initiative to Walnut Park. My staff was on the ground as County teams arrived and offered services and safe housing to every resident of the RV encampment on Santa Fe Ave between Broadway and Independence Ave, just north of South Gate.
I heard the concerns many of you expressed in person, on the phone, and through our official Walnut Park Instagram account about this RV encampment. No one is safer or better off when people are living in dilapidated RVs. It’s not good for our kids who need safe sidewalks to get to and from school, it’s not safe for drivers or cyclists, and it’s not safe for the people living inside them. No person should be forced to live in a motorhome on the street.
They deserve safe housing, and you deserve safe streets.
The RVs have been removed, and the residents were offered hotel rooms and every service and support that the County family has to offer. Those who accepted moved into those rooms right away. The cleanup of the street is ongoing.
I’ll be sharing more details about this RV encampment resolution in the next few days. Stay tuned to this and other important information on Instagram and, if you haven’t already signed up, through my weekly Janice Journal.
Hahn Will Bring Successful Gun Buyback Model to Pico Riverahttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Event is ninth in a string of buybacks collecting nearly 1,300 guns
Pico Rivera, CA—On Saturday, December 16, 2023, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn will hold a gun buyback event at the Pico Rivera City Hall in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The event will welcome residents from 9am to 1pm and offers an opportunity to exchange any gun for gift cards, no questions asked. Media is invited to a 10am press conference on site. See details below.
“Time and time again at these events we hear from residents that they didn’t know what else to do with these guns. What they did know is that they wanted to get them out of their homes and away from their families. This is the perfect opportunity, and with gift season just days away, you can drive away with hundreds of dollars in gift cards, no questions asked,” said Hahn. “This is an opportunity that hundreds of people have already taken us up on, choosing safer homes and neighborhoods and some extra spending money on top of it.”
Saturday’s buyback will be Hahn’s ninth. Between the previous eight held in Lynwood, North Long Beach, Norwalk, Wilmington, Long Beach, Hawaiian Gardens, Artesia, and Bellflower beginning in May 2022, Hahn’s initiative has taken in and destroyed 1,292 unwanted firearms.
In Pico Rivera Hahn will be joined by the city’s mayor and councilmembers as well as LA County Sheriff’s Department South Patrol Division Commander Allen M. Castellano. Sarah Wirtz, an advocate from Women Against Gun Violence who lost a niece in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, will also be present. Women Against Gun Violence have donated 50 gun locks that will be given away on Saturday. The simple devices help prevent accidental discharge or use of the gun by someone other than the owner, such as a child.
There are important guidelines to participating in the buyback that ensure the safety of the public and deputies. Participants should not arrive on foot or transit, and should transport firearms unloaded and in the trunk of a vehicle.
Participants will receive gift cards in amounts according to the type of gun exchanged.
• Non-functioning firearms or parts: $50
• Working pistols, rifles shotguns: $100
• Ghost guns: $200
• Assault rifles: $300
3D and homemade guns will be evaluated for value on the day of the event. Gift card quantities are limited and subject to availability.
What: Gun Buyback and Press Conference Who: Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Pico Rivera Mayor Andrew Lara, Pico Rivera City Councilmember John Garcia, Pico Rivera City Councilmember Gustavo Camacho, Pico Rivera City Councilmember Erik Lutz, Pico Rivera City Councilmember Dr. Monica Sanchez, Sarah Wirtz (advocate from Women Against Gun Violence), LA County Sheriff’s Department South Patrol Division Commander Allen M. Castellano Where: Pico Rivera City Hall, 6615 Passons Blvd., Pico Rivera, CA When: Saturday, December 16, 2023; Gun Buyback operates from 9am to 1pm, Press Conference begins at 10am Visuals: Surrendered firearms being processed, Hahn and councilmembers touring buyback
Download full-page flyer here. Footage of Hahn’s Long Beach buyback event can be found here. Credit: LA36
Hahn Office Funds $1.2 Million Upgrade to Artesia’s AJ Padelford Parkhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
This week, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn attended the meeting of the Artesia City Council and formally announced that her office would provide $1.2 million to the city for needed upgrades to AJ Padelford Park.
“This $1.2 million will fund upgrades to AJ Padelford Park’s main building, replace the old computers for the youth program, refurbish the roof of the teen center, fund the construction of new outdoor restrooms, and pay for the installation of more lighting in the park to improve safety for residents walking through the park in the evening,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Our parks, no matter how small, are some of the most important assets in our neighborhoods. I know that this project was a priority for the City of Artesia, and I am so grateful that we can help make it happen.”
The upgrades are vitally needed at the park. The main building roof has multiple leaks which have caused damage to the building, the park currently has no public restrooms, and the computers in the teen center are over 15 years old.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Supervisor Hahn and her dedicated staff for their unwavering advocacy on behalf of the City Council, City Staff, and the residents of the City of Artesia,” said Councilmember Monica Monalo. “Their successful efforts in securing these funds will greatly improve our City parks and enhance the quality of life for our residents and those visiting our wonderful parks.”
AJ Padelford Park is a 1.9-acre park located at 11870 169th St. in Artesia. The $1.2 million in funding from Supervisor Hahn’s office comes from discretionary Community Program funds.
Hahn Urges Local Small Landlords to Apply for Fundshttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/rentrelief4.png560315Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA –Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is urging local mom-and-pop landlords to apply for grants through the LA County Rent Relief fund which launched this morning.
“The costs of the pandemic policies that kept people housed fell on the shoulders of local mom-and-pop landlords,” said Supervisor Hahn. “This landlord relief fund is long-overdue, and I urge local property owners who need the help to apply and to call my office if they need any assistance.”
The new fund, launched by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at the direction of the Board of Supervisors, makes $68.6 million available for landlord relief with small landlords eligible to receive up to $120,000 in assistance for past due rent and eligible expenses from April 1, 2022 to present. Eligible property owners must own a rental property in Los Angeles County (properties located in the City of Los Angeles are excluded).
If interested property owners need help completing an online application, they can contact a multilingual call center at (877) 849-0770. Language assistance will be available every day of the week, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PST, in all County threshold languages (which include Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Armenian, and others).
In-person one-on-one support is also available through DCBA partners.
More information and a link to complete an application is available at lacountyrentrelief.com.
CARE Court to Launch in Los Angeles County Tomorrowhttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Esteban GarciaEsteban Garciahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f75a0a635aeccb2b3e4a965e8c31e362?s=96&d=mm&r=g
New State-Funded Program Will Provide Treatment and Other Supports to Families and Individuals Struggling with Severe Schizophrenia and Associated Psychotic Disorders
Norwalk, Calif. (November 30, 2023), Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District, in collaboration with the Superior Court of Los Angeles County (the Court), Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), and Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office/Independent Defense Counsel Office (IDCO) announced the launch of the state-funded Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment program, better known as CARE Court.
Starting tomorrow, December 1, qualified individuals – such as a family member, spouse, roommate, emergency responder, or licensed medical or mental health professional – will be able to petition the Court for an eligible individual with untreated schizophrenia or other associated psychotic disorders to receive treatment and services to stabilize their symptoms and continue on a path of recovery and well-being.
“I talk to too many families who have struggled to get help for their loved ones with severe mental illness and we see too many people with schizophrenia on the streets. CARE Court is a tool we have been missing in LA County,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. She continued, “Through CARE Court, we will now be better able to support people suffering from untreated schizophrenia and their families who have historically had nowhere else to go.”
LA County CARE Court was initially set to launch in December 2024, but the Court and the County agreed to move the start date up one year to provide early access to this new valuable tool to County residents. This reflects a tremendous amount of work and collaboration between the Court and LA County.
“Implementing CARE Court in Los Angeles will help create change systemically in the lives of individuals who are struggling with mental illness,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Fifth District. “Our courts are an important asset and can be a change agent in the lives of many. By creating this special partnership between the courts and our mental health systems, we are creating a pathway towards healing and rehabilitation.”
The intent of the CARE program is to provide an additional tool to help families and individuals find support for their loved ones. For individuals who qualify and agree to participate in CARE Court, housing options, along with connections to social services, are provided via a CARE Plan.
“CARE Court will help us connect individuals with the highest needs to the care they require. As we continue to grapple with a mental health crisis on our streets, especially on Skid Row and MacArthur Park in my district, CARE Court will be an important tool to address an individual’s need with dignity and respect. I look forward to working with the Department of Mental Health, the Courts, and the Public Defender’s Office on implementing this important initiative,” said Supervisor Solis, First District.
To seek these services, a family member, clinician or other person files what is known as a CARE Act petition for someone who is in need of help. Filing a petition is free. A judge reviews the petition and determines if the person is eligible for the CARE program. Specific eligibility requirements can be found at www.lacourt.org/care.
“CARE Court provides the largest trial court in the nation with an opportunity to maximize the expertise of judicial officers who are dedicated to providing support to individuals suffering from mental health disorders with a forum in which they will feel empowered to succeed and pave the way to leading healthy and stable lives,” Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner said. “I would like to thank our partners at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles County Chief Executive’s Office, the Los Angeles County Public Defender, the Independent Defense Counsel’s Office, and the Board of Supervisors, particularly Supervisor Hahn, for engaging so deeply and collaboratively, enabling the County and the Court to launch CARE Court one year earlier than required so that qualifying individuals can begin receiving the care they need and deserve to stabilize and succeed.”
Rather than cycling through jails and emergency rooms, CARE Court gives vulnerable individuals (and those who care for them) another path to access key services. Participants can receive many kinds of support to promote recovery and well-being, including counseling, medication, and social services. If an individual is accepted into the program, their CARE team of clinicians, case managers and others work with them to develop a plan that will provide services tailored to their needs.
“CARE Court offers people with schizophrenia and other related serious untreated mental health disorders the help they need,” said LACDMH Director Dr. Lisa H. Wong. “It is the latest resource we are offering to put at-risk community members on the path to recovery. Ultimately, our priority is to enable people to heal, live safely in community, and thrive; and our goal is to ensure that there is no wrong door when someone reaches out for help.”
The CARE program is strictly voluntary. Participants cannot be forced to participate in services — including taking medication — against their will and can leave the program at any time. There are no civil or criminal penalties for choosing not to participate in the CARE process or programs. Respondents who qualify for CARE Court services will be provided free legal representation through the Public Defender’s newly formed and separately operated IDCO. The attorneys assigned to CARE Court respondents will provide encouragement to their clients and advocate on their behalf to receive all available services.
“The goal of the CARE program is to provide consistent help and resources to people in the least restrictive way possible,” said Ricardo D. Garcia, LA County Public Defender. “Unlike traditional judicial proceedings that focus on compelling compliance through punishment, CARE Court takes the opposite approach. It creates a specific judicial process to pull together holistic services for respondents while surrounding them with a team of family members and professionals to help them stay on track. We’re delighted that IDCO will play such a key role in this innovative and humane approach.”
CARE Court begins accepting petitions tomorrow, December 1. Petitions can be submitted electronically through any electronic filing service provider listed at www.lacourt.org/division/efiling/civil_providers.aspx, or in person at any location listed at www.lacourt.org/CARE. Individuals who are represented by an attorney must file petitions electronically, while individuals without an attorney may file petitions electronically or in person.
For more information about the services provided by LACDMH, please visit: dmh.lacounty.gov/get-help-now/ or call the toll-free number at 1-800-854-7771, where you can request service referrals, crisis assessments, field-based services and an emotional support warmline. The number is staffed 24/7 and has designated personnel to meet the needs of those who served in the military.
Interested parties can also call or text 988 to connect with someone through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides supports to those who are in crisis or experiencing emotional distress. This service is available 24/7 throughout the U.S. via phone calls, text messaging, or online chat. Finally, you can text ‘LA’ to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor via text message.
“We need Congress to step up and take action on gun violence, but we can’t sit around and wait for that,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “This year, we took every step within our power to strengthen our gun violence prevention policies in LA County. We banned the sale of armor piercing bullets. We put in place commonsense safety requirements for gun dealers because we don’t want guns falling into the wrong hands. Along with new efforts to encourage people to use red flag laws and gun buyback events in communities across my district, I am confident that we are saving lives.”
New Zoning Requirements for Gun Dealers
Today, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve an ordinance implementing new zoning requirements for gun and ammunition dealers in unincorporated Los Angeles County communities. The new ordinance will require dealers to obtain a conditional use permit from Department of Regional Planning. Before now, there was no specific category for gun and ammunition dealers. The ordinance will also require that all new gun and ammunition stores operate at least 1,000 feet away from each other and from areas that children gather like schools, parks, libraries, and daycares. This ordinance will come back to the board for a second hearing on December 19th and, if approved, will go into effect 30 days later.
Ban Sale of .50 Caliber Firearms
In February, under the leadership of Supervisor Hahn, the Board established an ordinance prohibiting the sale of .50 caliber firearms and ammunition in the unincorporated areas of the County. These are the large bullets that inflict a massive amount of damage on the human body and can pierce body armor.
Prohibit Carrying Firearms on County Property
In February, under the leadership of Supervisor Hahn, the Board 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.
Commonsense Oversight and Safety Requirements for Gun Dealers
Last month, the Board approved an ordinance putting in place commonsense oversight and safety requirements for gun and ammunition dealers in unincorporated Los Angeles County. The ordinance, which is enforced by the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, does the following:
Requires that ammunition dealers get a business license and comply with requirements applicable to gun dealers. Previously, ammunition-only dealers were not required to have a specific business license.
Prohibits minors in stores that sell guns and ammunition unless accompanied by an adult. Mixed-use stores will be required to have sight separation.
Requires that stores maintain an annual sales report, keep a fingerprint log of purchasers of guns and ammunition, maintain a weekly inventory report, have security cameras in place, and have signs displayed in stores that warn customers about the risks associated with access to guns.
Requires suspended and revoked licensee names to be publicly posted by the Treasurer and Tax Collector.
Amends the fee chart and increases the annual license fee for both initial applications and license renewals.
Expanding Access to Gun Violence Restraining Orders As part of a comprehensive approach to preventing gun violence, the County has launched a new effort to raise awareness and use of gun violence restraining orders (GVROs). GVROs, which can be filed by law enforcement or members of the public when they believe a person is a danger to themselves or others and must be approved by a judge, can prevent a person from purchasing a gun, ammunition, or magazine for a specified length of time, between 21 days and five years. Despite their life-saving potential, they are severely underutilized in Los Angeles County.
To improve public information and awareness of Gun Violence Restraining Orders, Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis directed the LA County Office of Violence Prevention to launch a public awareness campaign. As part of that effort, the office has created a new webpage can be found at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/ovp/GVROs.htm. It includes information about what GVROs are, who can file for them, videos about how to file GVROs in both English and Spanish, a list of legal aid organizations that can assist, and data about gun violence restraining order filings in LA County. The webpage also includes information about possible warning signs for both suicide and potential mass violence.
Moving Forward: Gun Buybacks Across Hahn’s District
Supervisor Hahn is partnering with law enforcement agencies to hold gun buyback events across her district where residents have an opportunity to turn in unwanted firearms in exchange for gift cards, no questions asked. She has held seven gun buybacks since last year, collecting over 1,200 guns including assault rifles, ghost guns, and 3D printed guns. Hahn will hold an eighth event December 16th at Pico Rivera City Hall.
County to Explore Giving Away Free Gun Lockshttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Los Angeles, CA—Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and her colleague Supervisor Hilda Solis are proposing a plan to allow doctors and nurses at County-operated hospitals and medical campuses to give out free gun locks as part of a harm reduction strategy to prevent gun violence.
“Gun locks can save lives – especially in households with children,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “Some studies have found that people are more likely to use gun locks if they are given to them by their doctor or in a medical center to take home and I think it is a concept we should explore for our own County hospitals.”
According to the Pew Research Center, 64% of US gun owners fail to keep their guns in a locked place and 56% of US gun owners keep their guns loaded. This increases the risk of injury or death within a house, especially for children and teens. Securely storing firearms with gun safety cable locks or within a gun safe or lock box is one way to prevent firearms from being accessed or used by children.
“If guns are not safely stored or locked, it can lead to devastating and fatal consequences. Gun owners may assume that their families know how to handle a gun, however, if it’s not safely stored or locked, serious injuries or death may result. Hospitals are where many victims end up, and to that end, we can use the opportunity to both educate and provide them with a tangible resource to better protect them and their families from guns—gun locks,” said Supervisor Solis.
Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Hahn and co-authored by Supervisor Solis to explore providing free gun locks for the public at Los Angeles County hospitals for people to take home and use to properly secure guns. Other hospitals across the country have already implemented this practice following research showing its effectiveness.
“One of the easiest ways to prevent gun violence is to make certain that firearms are securely locked up with ammunition stored separately,” said Margot Bennett, Executive Director, Women Against Gun Violence. “Doing so helps prevent suicide, school shootings, and unintentional shootings. We are grateful to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors as they continue their efforts to prevent gun violence with this innovative approach to make gun locks easily available.”
The Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention and the Department of Health Services will report back to the board in writing in 45 days with information about the number of County-operated hospitals and medical campuses and the number of locks required for implementation, a proposed process and plan for implementation that includes a timeline to secure the locks, development of educational campaigns, and identification of a distribution strategy, and any resources required to purchase and provide gun safety cable locks, gun safes, and/or lock boxes.
Voting Begins on New Rail Line Namehttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Hahn asks for public’s help to rename the “West Santa Ana Branch”
Walnut Park, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is inviting the public help to rename the “West Santa Ana Branch” rail line project. The much-anticipated Metro light rail line will connect ten cities in Southeast Los Angeles County and 1.4 million residents with accessible and reliable transit to downtown Los Angeles, but the name has long confused the public and has held back enthusiasm and support for the project. Supervisor Hahn has led an effort at Metro to rename the project and, starting today, the public will get to vote on the new name.
The planned rain line will run through Artesia, Cerritos, Paramount, Bellflower, Downey, South Gate, Cudahy, Bell, Huntington Park, Vernon to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. While the West Santa Ana Branch name carries historical significance, it has led to confusion because the line neither connects to the City of Santa Ana, nor is it west of most of Los Angeles County.
“This rail line is going to make a huge difference in the lives of residents from Artesia all the way to Huntington Park, but few people know about it because the name is so terrible,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “So, we’re picking a new name that people can get behind and connect with. Thank you to everyone who submitted one of the over 1,200 ideas we received. Now it’s up to the public to vote for their favorites and help us ‘Name That Train’.”
“I’m excited to finally have a replacement name for the West Santa Ana Branch that properly represents and connects with the communities it will serve,” said Whittier Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Dutra, who serves as 2nd Vice Chair on the Metro Board. “I appreciate the enthusiastic response from all the individuals that participated.”
In the first part of the Name That Train contest, residents living up and down the line’s route submitted over 1,200 possible names for consideration and a panel of judges selected 12 finalists:
Calafia: the mythical queen after which California—first thought to be the “Island of California”—is named.
Esperanza: “Hope” in Spanish. This project represents the aspirations of 1.4 million residents for improved mobility, better opportunities, and an enhanced quality of life.
Gateway Cities: This line will serve most of the Gateway Cities, making these communities more accessible to the rest of LA County and helping unify a regional identity.
Los Angeles Gateway: The Gateway Cities region will finally have a direct transit connection to the heart of Los Angeles.
Los Rios: This line will run along and cross our major rivers, including the San Gabriel River, the Los Angeles River and its Rio Hondo tributary.
Pioneer: Pioneer Blvd. runs through the heart of Artesia, the line’s terminus. This project also represents a new frontier for the communities it will serve.
Pórtico: A portico is a door, a gateway to something new. This line will offer the Gateway Cities a portal to a brighter future.
Ruta Segura: “Safe Route” in Spanish. This project will give many new public transit users the confidence to travel on the Metro system.
Southeast: This line will serve not only Southeast Los Angeles but also most of Southeast Los Angeles County. Check the compass at Union Station; this line goes due Southeast.
Southeast Gateway: The communities of SELA and the Southeast LA County region—also known as the Gateway Cities—will have a gateway to DTLA.
The Heartland Connection: This line will provide a connection to the heart of the Metro system for the millions of residents of the Southeast Los Angeles County communities.
Tongva: The Tongva—whose name means “People of the Earth”—are the original inhabitants of the land that today is Southeast Los Angeles County.
The online public vote at RenameWSAB.com launches on November 15, 2023 and will close on December 17, 2023. Anyone can vote for their top three choices, ranked in order of preference. Votes are limited to one per person. The name with the most votes will be selected and announced in January 2024.
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 Sheriff’s deputies. Firearms must be brought unloaded in the trunk of a vehicle and are not permitted on any public transit vehicle. Pedestrian walk-ups will not be accepted. Participants can choose from an assortment of gift cards.
Los Angeles, CA—Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has directed the Probation Department to put in place additional security measures at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey after a youth being incarcerated at the hall was able to briefly escape the facility.
On the evening of November 4, 2023, a youth being incarcerated at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall managed to escape briefly from the facility by assaulting a staff member, obtaining keys, and climbing over a fence. The youth was apprehended by police and Probation Department officials within ten minutes of the escape and the Probation Department has launched an internal investigation into this incident.
“It is unacceptable that two young people have managed to escape from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in the last four months,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn who represents the cities of Downey and South Gate. “Luckily, they were both apprehended almost immediately after their escape, but this cannot happen again.”
After being closed for almost four years, Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall was reopened in July 2023 after the California Board of State and Community Corrections ordered the County’s other two juvenile halls to be closed for failing to meet suitability standards. November’s brief escape is the second time since the facility reopened that a youth has managed to flee from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. The first time occurred within two weeks of the facility reopening, and the youth was apprehended shortly after fleeing the facility.
During today’s Board meeting, Supervisor Hahn submitted an urgency motion regarding the escape over the weekend. The motion, which was unanimously approved, directs the Los Angeles County Chief Probation Officer to orally present a corrective action plan during the public Board meeting on November 21, 2023, including descriptions of additional security measures and policies being implemented by the Probation Department to prevent any future escape from the facility.
Hahn’s motion also directs the Chief Probation Officer to meet with officials from the City of Downey and the City of South Gate to discuss additional safety measures being implemented at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall to ensure the safety of the surrounding communities.
Lastly, Hahn’s motion directs the Office of the Inspector General to investigate the November 4th escape and provide a written report to the Board of Supervisors in 120 days. It also specifies that the report back should include an overview and analysis of the events that led to the escape and recapture of a juvenile on November 4, 2023, and recommendations for additional security measures and policies to prevent future incidents.
