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Committee orders study on impacts of closing medical services at 70 Seventh Street and Van Nuys jails
Summary
After testimony from LAPD custody officials and correctional nurses, the committee approved a motion requesting a report on the operational, health and liability impacts if medical services at two regional jails were reduced or shuttered.
The Personnel and Hiring Committee voted June 18 to request a report on the potential impact of shutting down medical services at two Los Angeles Police Department regional jails'70 Seventh Street and Van Nuys.
Captain Anthony Otero, commanding officer of LAPD Custody Services Division, told the committee that state standards (Board of State and Community Corrections Title 15) require facilities to provide emergency and basic health care and to have at least one physician available. Otero said in 2024 the city recorded 43,145 bookings citywide of which 30,257 required some medical attention (70.1 percent), and warned that consolidating medical services could draw attention from state regulators and create operational and legal risks.
Otero cited an example in which 70 Seventh medical staff used a defibrillator multiple times to save a person who suffered cardiac arrest; he said having on-site medical staff "is life saving." He also warned that centralizing services at Metro Detention Center would increase transport times, reduce field units as officers spend more time transporting detainees, and could overload remaining medical resources.
Several correctional nurses and a union representative spoke during public comment. Jeremiah Rockland, who identified himself as a nurse at 70 Seventh Street, warned that closure would increase officer out-of-service time and longer detainee wait times, potentially "greatly increase the risk of death in the jail, but in our beloved communities." Merdali Gonzalez, a correctional nurse, said moving medical work to the Metro Detention Center would "overwhelm staff and increase liabilities" and increase wait times for critical care. Carla Salazar, a business representative with AFSCME District Council 36, urged the committee to approve a study to examine costs and liabilities and to look carefully at staffing shortages.
After the LAPD briefing and public comments, the committee voted to approve the motion requesting a report. Clerk roll call recorded Councilmember Cosgrove as yes, Councilmember Alejandra Rodriguez as aye, and Councilmember Grace Hutt as yes.
The requested report should examine likely changes to medical response times, impacts on detainee care and officer availability, staffing needs, and potential liability or regulatory consequences if services are centralized or closed.
