Council approves funding for coordinated domestic-violence response teams across four bureaus

The Los Angeles City Council approved a measure Wednesday to fund coordinated domestic-violence response efforts in four Los Angeles Police Department bureaus, endorsing staff's representation that the programs will coordinate with existing response teams and community providers.

Councilmember Garcetti asked staff whether the four programs coordinate with DART (Domestic Abuse Response Teams) and other local providers. Kathleen O'Leary Lefferman of the mayor's criminal justice planning office said coordination exists in the divisions and that the city planned a kickoff meeting with the department's domestic-violence coordinator, Commander Zimin, to reinforce support and coordination with captains and officers.

Staff said specific providers already working in the targeted areas include Haven Hills (in the Valley), Project Peacemakers (working with the 77th Division), the African Community Resource Center (working with Hollywood and Wilshire), and a collaborative involving California Hospital. O'Leary Lefferman said the programs will target repeat-family violence and will be "targeted" because the grant size and needs vary across areas.

Councilmember Garcetti noted the programs represent an investment that "makes a lot of financial sense" if they successfully reach repeat families; staff said the grant amount under discussion would be $200,000 per bureau. The council adopted the Budget and Finance Committee's report; the clerk recorded 12 ayes.

The council's action accepted the committee recommendation and the related program report; the communication from the chair of public safety was received and filed. No ordinance or additional appropriation language was recorded in the meeting minutes for this item beyond the committee report acceptance.