Daily Bulletin: La Mirada, Whittier cast votes of no confidence against LA County DA
La Mirada and Whittier city councils joined three other cities — the most recent was Pico Rivera — in casting votes declaring “no confidence” in Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.
La Mirada’s vote on Tuesday, April 27 was 4-0 — Councilman Anthony Otero recused himself because his wife is a deputy district attorney.
Whittier’s vote the same night was 4-1. Councilman Henry Bouchot provided the lone no vote.
The cities of Beverly Hills and Santa Clarita approved similar resolutions.
An email to Gascón’s office seeking comment Wednesday wasn’t answered.
In earlier articles, Alex Bastian, special advisor to Gascón, has, defended the DA’s record. “The District Attorney is very focused on enhancing public safety, increasing equity, expanding victim services and strengthening police accountability, Bastian wrote. “The policies implemented over the last few months go to furthering these core principles for all Angelenos, including La Mirada residents.”
In both cities, council members criticized Gascón for his new policies of not prosecuting numerous misdemeanor cases, including disturbing the peace, driving without or on a suspended license, drug and paraphernalia possession, littering, loitering to commit prostitution, making a criminal threat, minor in possession of alcohol, public intoxication, resisting arrest, trespassing and under the influence of a controlled substance.
“What kind of message are we sending by being lenient on our criminals?” Whittier Councilman Fernando Dutra asked. “If you’re a criminal you can get away with more.”
In Whittier, about 200 cases involving these crimes since December haven’t been filed by the District Attorney’s Office, Whittier Police Chief Aviv Bar said. The majority of these are for drug possession, for being under the influence and for possession of drug paraphernalia.
