By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Bass concerned over uptick in LAPD-involved shootings
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed concerns Friday over reports that shootings by Los Angeles police officers have increased dramatically this year.
According to media reports, LAPD officers have fired their weapons in 46 incidents so far this year — killing 14 people and wounding 23 others — a roughly 70% increase compared with 2024 and the highest annual shooting total by the department since 2015.
The uptick in LAPD shootings comes despite crime rates in the city continuing to fall, and with officers registering fewer interactions with members of the public than in previous years.
By comparison, the similarly-sized L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has seen deputies shoot 11 people so far in 2025, killing nine of them.
“I remain deeply concerned about the recent rise in Officer-Involved Shootings,” Bass said on Friday. “I met with the Chief of Police this morning and am working with him and the Police Commission to understand the causes of the increase and identify any measures to reduce these incidents.
“I am particularly concerned about how individuals’ mental health may be factoring into these incidents. Too many times, our society lets people’s mental health deteriorate so significantly that they can either become the victims or the perpetrators of crimes. Since taking office, I have worked to take a comprehensive approach to public safety, investing in strategies to divert calls for service involving Angelenos in crisis to trained mental health teams and that will continue.”
Friedman tours Crescenta Valley Water District
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Hollywood, La Crescenta, Montrose, Verdugo, part of La Cañada‑Flintridge) on Friday toured the Crescenta Valley Water District, which serves communities in the northern part of her district. Roughly 30,000 to 35,000 residents receive clean water from this facility, including those in the communities of La Crescenta, Montrose, Verdugo, and a small portion of La Cañada‑Flintridge.
“Access to clean water is something I’ve been fighting for my entire career because every single American deserves to eat, play, or clean with safe water,” said Friedman. “The Trump Administration has shown that it is no friend in the fight to provide Americans with clean water, as it continues to roll back protections on water sources like wetlands. Both my constituents and water districts like Crescenta Valley can rely on me to keep our taps flowing pollution-free.”
Since her time in the California State Assembly, Friedman has stood out as a leading voice for clean water access. She brought Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to Los Angeles to focus the national spotlight on Trump’s cuts to federal programs and projects like the Los Angeles River revitalization effort that would improve water quality, as well as increase access to parkland and trails.
Most recently, Friedman called out the Trump administration’s plans to cut protections for wetlands – a critical source of natural water filtration – out of the Clean Water Act.
Gomez inspects detention facility following court win
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Downtown LA, Koreatown, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock) on Friday carried out an oversight inspection of the Roybal Allard Federal Detention Facility (B-18) in Downtown Los Angeles, after a federal court ruling restored Congress’ right to conduct unannounced inspections.
Gomez was a plaintiff in the lawsuit that blocked ICE from unlawfully denying Congressional members access to detention facilities. The court’s decisive ruling forced the administration to reverse its illegal policy and allowed Gomez to enter the facility after being denied access three times earlier this year.
“I fought the Trump administration in federal court and won in order to gain access to ICE’s B-18 detention facility in Downtown Los Angeles to carry out my oversight responsibilities,” said Gomez. “What I saw confirms violations of basic standards and the law: people held for up to 72 hours in a facility designed for short-term processing, with no working kitchen, no on-site medical staff, and food limited to chips, cookies, and frozen burritos.
“For nearly a year, this administration has unlawfully shut out congressional oversight while detentions surged, concealing unsafe conditions inside. As a U.S. Representative, I will continue using every oversight tool available until DHS restores transparency and follows the law.”
Under federal law (Section 527 of the FY2024 DHS Appropriations Act), Members of Congress are explicitly authorized to visit ICE facilities where noncitizens are detained without providing prior notice. Despite this clear statutory authority, ICE repeatedly blocked Members’ access throughout the year, prompting the federal court’s ruling.
Gomez will continue conducting inspections and demanding accountability to ensure DHS and ICE comply with the law and protect basic standards of care.
Fong holds holiday toy drive, shares legislative wins
Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Temple City) last week celebrated his district’s annual Legislative Update and Holiday Toy Drive, bringing joy to families across the San Gabriel Valley.
Fong gave a special shout-out to the California Highway Patrol, East Los Angeles Area, for donating more than 100 toys, and to the Southern California Business Association for their generous donation in making this year’s drive a success.
Fong also recognized the winners of the 2025 “Heart of Assembly District 49” Art Contest, which showcased the creativity and talent of young people throughout the district. Winners were selected across elementary, middle school, high school, and young adult categories.
The selected artwork reflects the vibrant communities of Assembly District 49 and will be displayed in both the Capitol and District Offices.
The art contest winners were Sherry M., 4th Grade (Elementary School), Lina Z., 8th Grade (Middle School), Keira Z., 11th Grade (High School) and Aurora C., College Sophomore (Young Adult).
“I am honored to serve a community defined by its creativity and compassion. The artwork we celebrate and the generosity behind our Holiday Toy Drive highlight the incredible people who make Assembly District 49 so special,” said Fong.
Fong also shared a year-end legislative update for the 2025 session, in which Governor Gavin Newsom signed several bills from the Assemblymember’s legislative package including measures focused on advancing student support, workforce development, education coordination, and student housing access across California.
