By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Bass’s measured words after City Council greenlights more cops
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, yesterday, called the City Council’s 9-3 vote allowing the Los Angeles Police Department to hire 410 new recruits out of its own LAPD budget a small step forward, but warned it remains well short of what is needed.
“My number one job as Mayor is to keep Angelenos safe. Since my first day in office, I have taken a comprehensive approach to public safety, from prioritizing the hiring of more police officers to launching my Office of Community Safety to help prevent violence before it happens and create safe community spaces for Angelenos,” said Bass.
“The second-largest city in the United States cannot have an effective police department when it is operating with the lowest staffing levels in years. And with only five months until Los Angeles welcomes tens of thousands of fans from around the world for the FIFA World Cup, investing in more police officers is critical to public safety.
“When I released my budget, I prioritized police hiring and I have continued to push for more officers since. The City Council’s action today will allow the department to hire a total of 410 new recruits this fiscal year and bring the police department to roughly 8,500 officers. While this is a critical investment, this number still does not hire to attrition – and it is not enough officers for a city of 3.8 million people. Although this is an important step, there is more work to do to invest in the safety of Angelenos.”
Long Beach builds Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center
The Long Beach City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the City entering into a $60 million contract with the City of San Fernando-based Bernards Bros. construction company to build the Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center.
This milestone action transitions the long-planned project from planning to construction and brings the City closer to delivering a modern, inclusive aquatics facility along the waterfront.
“For more than a decade, the Belmont Pool has been talked about. Today, we’re moving from planning to building and putting shovels in the ground,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “This pool has produced Olympians and world-class swimmers, and Long Beach deserves a world-class facility that reflects that legacy. And world-class facilities should come with world-class access—so we’re proud this project is moving forward with equity in mind.”
The project has progressed through a complex and challenging journey shaped by rising construction costs, coastal regulatory requirements, and the need to redesign earlier concepts to ensure long-term financial sustainability while preserving the community’s core priorities.
“For decades, the Belmont Pool site has been an important part of Long Beach’s waterfront and a place where families from across the city come together,” said Councilmember Kristina Duggan, who represents the Third District where the facility is located. “This approval reflects years of collaboration and community input. The Belmont Beach and Aquatics Center will be an accessible public space that respects the site’s history while meeting current and future community needs.”
The effort to replace the former Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool began after the facility was demolished in 2014 due to seismic safety concerns. Over the years, the City worked closely with residents, community organizations and technical experts to refine the project’s scope and design.
With construction now authorized, the City anticipates breaking ground in the summer of 2026 and expects the Belmont Beach & Aquatics Center to be completed and ready to serve the community in advance of the 2028 Olympic Games.
For more information on total costs, financing details, and to view the final facility design, visit BelmontPool.com.
Gipson’s Rally Calls Out ICE for Deaths of Good, Porter
Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Compton, Carson, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, North Long Beach) yesterday amplified California’s defiance against deadly White House policies and the stark human toll they extract, and called Members of the California Legislature and Mayor Kevin McCarty of Sacramento to march from the State Capitol to the John E. Moss Federal Building with a loud demand for nationwide justice as U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) forces a brutal crackdown on communities.
Attended by Senators and Assemblymembers from across the legislative houses’ Diversity Caucuses, Gipson’s Rallying for Justice expressed the overwhelming fury of Californians over what many see as a draconian immigration policy emanating from Washington.
A rousing call-and-response resounded on the West Steps, underscoring two horrific tragedies this holiday season: Keith Porter, 43, a Black father of two, who was fatally shot in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley on New Year’s Eve, and Reneé Nicole Good, 37, a Minneapolis-based activist killed by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross seven days later. Porter and Good, both American citizens, were ensnared in an arbitrary and dangerous ICE dragnet that must end.
“We are witnessing a mass movement by ordinary people of conscience who say ‘No’ to the abuses of ICE,” said Gipson. “Everywhere from Minnesota to my own Assembly District, I condemn this Administration’s callous disregard for human suffering – and I am outraged to read in the news of two dozen people shot by ICE since Donald Trump’s new term began.”
Zbur introduces “Right to Human Customer Service” Act
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D–Universal City, Hollywood, Hancock Park, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica) on Tuesday introduced AB 1609, the Right to Human Customer Service Act, legislation designed to ensure Californians can reach a real person for customer service instead of being trapped in endless phone holds or frustrating AI chatbot loops.
Sponsored by the Communication Workers of America (CWA) District 9, AB 1609 strikes a balanced approach by ensuring businesses can continue using automation while guaranteeing consumers the right to speak with a human within a reasonable time.
Across industries, consumers increasingly report being unable to resolve basic issues because customer service systems rely heavily on automated chatbots and long telephone hold times. These systems often fail to understand complex or sensitive problems, repeat scripted responses, or disconnect calls without resolution — wasting hours of consumers’ time and leaving critical issues unresolved.
For Californians seeking help with housing services and appointments, utility services, health care, travel, or essential purchases, the inability to reach a human representative can have serious consequences.
“Technology should make life easier — not lock people out of the help they need,” said Zbur. “When Californians reach out for customer support, they deserve timely, transparent access to a real human who can understand their situation and help solve the problem.”
