LOS ANGELES (KNX) — U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D.-Los Angeles), who is running to replace outgoing Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, called for an increase in L.A. Police Department patrols.
"All Angelenos deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods. I know that can only happen by throwing out the old, failed approach of the status quo,” Bass said Tuesday. “Which is why my community safety plan starts with a focus on effective and responsive policing, preventing homicides, and getting guns off our streets."
Bass’ plan calls on the city to hire a civilian personnel force to shift desk officers onto the street — a move that would bring the department up to its authorized patrol force level of 9,700.
The department’s current staffing numbers stand at 9,521 sworn members. The LAPD is seeking additional funding in the next fiscal year to bring staffing levels to 9,800 sworn officers.
Bass said promoting public safety is "the mayor's most important responsibility."
"But people don't feel safe today. Whether you've had your car broken into, your backpack stolen, your property damaged — or you've seen news coverage of home robberies, or violent assaults — more and more Angelenos I speak with tell me crime has touched them personally, and they feel scared. That's not right," Bass said.
The candidate’s plan also calls for a crackdown on illegal firearm possession, increased funds for hiring specialized homicide detectives, and investing in deescalation training.
"Use of excessive force, including deadly shootings of unarmed civilians, undermine the integrity of, and public trust in, the police. Violence and brutality of any kind, particularly at the hands of the police meant to protect and serve our communities, must not be tolerated," Bass’ plan stated.
L.A. had a almosta 12 percent spike in homicides in 2021. Violent crime increased 3.9 percent and property crimes rose by 4.2 percent.
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