Hahn Releases Statement on Partial Tunnel Collapse and Successful Evacuation of 31 Workershttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
LA County Sanitation Districts will examine cause of collapse
Hahn speaks to workers evacuated from the partially collapsed tunnel in Wilmington on Wednesday night
Wilmington, CA – Last night, the partial collapse of a tunnel being bored as part of the Clearwater Project by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts temporarily trapped 27 workers, with four others later entering the tunnel to assist the trapped workers. All 31 workers were eventually safely evacuated from the tunnel. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker rushed to the scene and spoke to the rescued workers after their evacuation. Work on the project has been halted pending an investigation of the cause of the collapse.
Supervisor Hahn, who serves on boards of directors for LA County Sanitation Districts, released the following statement:
“We are blessed that all of those men made it out and made it home to their families. Most people in the Harbor Area communities didn’t even realize that this tunnel was being bored beneath them, but these men go to work every night to build this critical infrastructure project for our region. I am so grateful that they are home safe tonight.
As the sanitation district we will be looking into exactly what caused this, and will do everything we can to prevent anything else like this from happening again.”
Hahn Establishes $20,000 Reward in West Whittier Murder of Benjamin Ryan Castanedahttps://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 – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to establish the County’s $20,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the June 2, 2025 murder of Benjamin Ryan Castaneda, 27, on the 8100 block of Broadway Ave. in unincorporated West Whittier-Los Nietos.
Castaneda was driving north on Broadway Avenue around 11:20 pm when a gold or brown four-door sedan, also driving north on Broadway Avenue, pulled alongside the driver’s window. The suspect shot into Castaneda’s vehicle. Castaneda was struck by gunfire and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Pico Rivera Station responded to the scene.
“I cannot imagine the shock and pain that Benjamin’s family has experienced in the weeks since his sudden and horrific killing,” said Hahn. “We need the public’s help to bring the violent criminals who took him away from them to justice.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau Detective Gail Durham or Sergeant Frank Alvarado at (323) 890-5500 or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
Hahn Condemns ICE Raid in Torrance at Car Washhttps://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 – Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is condemning a violent ICE raid in which masked federal officers detained workers at the Bubble Bath Hand Car Wash in Torrance yesterday afternoon.
“Just a block away from a monthly street fair where Torrance families were enjoying a normal Sunday afternoon, these masked thugs sent by our own federal government violently raided a local car wash — shoving a worker’s face into a gate and throwing another onto the ground. All the while, another federal agent films the raid with camera equipment. They are trying to make an example of these hardworking people, robbing businesses of their workers and families of their breadwinners.”
Board Opposes State’s Proposed Ban on Youth with Childhood Asthma from Firefighting Rehab Programhttps://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 – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn to oppose a proposed policy change by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) that would ban young people with a history of childhood asthma from participating in the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp fire training program.
Pine Grove is California’s only fire camp for incarcerated youth, providing young men between the ages of 18 and 25 with CAL FIRE training in wildland firefighting. Participants serve on real fire crews, responding to emergencies across the state—including recent deployments to Los Angeles County during the Eaton and Palisades fires.
“Pine Grove is one of the most meaningful and effective rehabilitative programs we have in California,” said Supervisor Hahn during today’s Board meeting. “It teaches structure, discipline, and gives these young men a real shot at turning their lives around through job training that can lead to a stable, rewarding career as a firefighter.”
The CDCR plans to enact a new policy starting July 1, 2025, that would prohibit anyone with any history of childhood asthma from participating in Pine Grove—despite the current policy already excluding youth with active asthma. Supervisor Hahn expressed concern that this blanket ban would disproportionately impact youth from Los Angeles County, where rates of childhood asthma are elevated due to decades of environmental injustice, especially in communities near freeways, ports, and industrial zones.
“Black children in Los Angeles County are almost twice as likely to have asthma compared to their peers,” Hahn said. “This change will unfairly shut out too many young men from our communities who are eager to serve, rehabilitate, and build a future for themselves – especially those who grew up in low-income marginalized neighborhoods.”
Supervisor Hahn also emphasized that the proposed restriction goes far beyond the LA County Fire Department’s own policy, which does not ban individuals with a history of asthma from serving as firefighters.
The motion directs the County’s Chief Executive Office Legislative Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations to send a five-signature letter to the CDCR urging them to abandon the policy change and continue allowing youth with non-active asthma to be evaluated for Pine Grove.
The decision also comes at a critical time for Los Angeles County’s juvenile justice system. As part of a court-approved plan to depopulate Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, the Probation Department is identifying youth eligible for rehabilitative placement at Pine Grove. Restricting access to the camp could undercut that plan.
“When I speak to the youth at Los Padrinos, many tell me they want to go to Pine Grove and become firefighters,” said Hahn. “We owe it to them to protect that opportunity.”
Board of Supervisors Passes Hahn Motion in Response to Rising Deaths in LA County Jailshttps://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 — 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.
Hahn Issues Statement on Selection of Chief Bill Scott to Head New Metro Transit Community Public Safety Departmenthttps://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 – 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.
Hahn Announces Phase 2 of Metro Weapons Detection Pilot Programhttps://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 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.
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
Hahn Statement on Order to Depopulate Los Padrinoshttps://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 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 Re-opening of Huntington Park Fire Station 11 months after Severe Fire Damagehttps://hahn.lacounty.gov/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150Hayley MunguiaHayley Munguiahttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/630b38108b5fe959ca74b3e2916d05a0?s=96&d=mm&r=g
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.
