LOS ANGELES, CA – The head of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the city’s police union warns Americans not to come to their city because they can’t guarantee their safety.
“We can’t guarantee your safety. It is really, really out of control,” said Detective Jamie McBride. “It’s like that movie the purge, but instead of 24 hours, these people have 365 days to commit whatever they want.”
The warning comes in the wake of a crime wave in the city that is going largely unchecked by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney George Gascon said the release of violent criminals is by design, to create a more humane justice system.
“We have set a path for ourselves and turned around the criminal legal system in the country in a way that will be more humane, more equitable and, above all, will create a safer environment for all of us,” Gascon said. “Before I took office, the legal system here offered victims one solution after someone causes harm: a long sentence. We operated towards victims like a factory making widgets.”
Now, when somebody causes harm, they are being set free.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said police department cutbacks by the city and county are fueling the crime surge, but Gascon’s releasing of violent criminals isn’t making their job easier.
On Monday, two children were shot, one killed in a daytime shooting. 12-year-old Alexander Alvarado was killed and a 9-year-old girl playing nearby was shot as gunfire rang out in their Wilmington neighborhood.
Gascon, later held a press conference to defend his soft-on-crime position in the city.
“I had hoped the press conference by George Gascon today was to announce his resignation, which is what anyone would expect from a DA who will not prosecute criminals, values offenders over victims, and has received a formal vote of no confidence from 31 cities,” Villanueva said.
“Despite the fact LA County defunded us 1,281 positions, our personnel are still doing their best to keep our community safe! I’m very proud of the work they perform each day,” Villanueva said about the move to defund police in Los Angeles.