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Los Angeles City Council asks LAPD for report after recent rise in violent crime
Summary
Council approved a motion requesting LAPD and the Police Commission report on recent increases in homicides and other violent crime and to review deployment; council added a request that the city—s anti-graffiti program report on citywide graffiti trends.
The Los Angeles City Council on July 5 approved a motion asking the Los Angeles Police Department and the Police Commission to report on a recent uptick in homicides and other violent crimes and to review patrol deployment formulas.
Council Member Savornich introduced the motion, saying the increase in violent crime in some divisions was "alarming" and asked the chief to brief the Public Safety Committee and the ad hoc committee on gang violence and juvenile justice. The motion directs the department to examine deployment and recommend any necessary changes to better match police resources with recent crime patterns.
The motion was amended on the floor to request an update from Operation Clean Sweep on graffiti trends and whether recent increases are gang-related. Council members accepted that amendment before a recorded vote; the council approved the measure, 13-0.
Council members who spoke in support said the vote was intended as a formal request for information, not an order directing the chief. Council Member Holden said he wanted the chief to exercise discretion in deployment but argued council needed to press for results. Council Member Bernsen cautioned that deployment is controlled by the Police Commission and the chief; another council member said the council's tools include budget authority if it seeks to change resources.
Council Member Misakowski said the Public Safety Committee had already scheduled a hearing on the department's special enforcement units and the reconstitution of CRASH-era units and expected the chief's report to come to council soon. The motion asks for those briefings and that the chief present data on crime trends, deployment, and the structure of special enforcement units replacing the old CRASH units.
The vote was 13 in favor, none opposed. The motion includes the council—s request that the chief present the information to the Public Safety Committee and that Operation Clean Sweep report on graffiti trends in the same timeframe.
The council did not adopt operational directives that would order specific deployments; several members noted the Police Commission and chief retain authority to make deployment decisions.
Looking ahead, the council will receive the requested briefings and data; the motion asks the LAPD and relevant city offices to present findings to the council committees named in the motion.
