By Los Angeles County Politics (LACP)
Soto, Hochman expand anti-sex trafficking to Western Avenue
Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) yesterday announced a new initiative on Western Avenue that is aimed at disrupting sex trafficking, supporting survivors and holding traffickers and ‘johns’ accountable.
Western Avenue, particularly near Koreatown and the Greater Wilshire area, has long been identified by the LAPD and residents as a hub of illegal activity, including sex trafficking of women and minors.
Launched during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the new Western Avenue initiative brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, social service providers and community partners to support victims and ensure that those committing these crimes are brought to justice.
“Human trafficking has long been a problem along Western Ave in our City, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach, and sustained and coordinated action,” said Soto. “The sex trafficking of minors is among the most egregious and reprehensible crimes that inflict long-lasting harm on communities, families, and victims. I am grateful for this coalition that brings together service providers, law enforcement, city agencies, community leaders and others to confront this problem with the urgency it demands.”
Hochman said commercial sexual exploitation is so prevalent in the county that it involves multiple corridors, also including Long Beach and Pomona, where it openly occurs.
“We will continue our three-pronged relentless approach to tackling this important issue: prosecuting human traffickers/pimps to attack the supply side, prosecuting sexual exploiters/Johns to reduce the demand side, and offering rehabilitative services for sex workers to end their victimization,” said Hochman.
For 24/7 confidential and live assistance in more than 200 languages, victims and witnesses should call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. The hotline can also be reached by text at 233733.
Bass ‘mansion tax’ statement after City Council holds off vote
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass yesterday vowed to continue to reform Measure ULA, also known as the ‘mansion tax’ and bring it back to voters, after the City Council delayed voting on proposed reforms.
As approved by LA voters in 20222, Measure ULA levies a 4% tax on real estate sales over $5.3 million and a 5.5% tax on properties selling for more than $10.6 million. The city uses tax revenue to fund tenant aid programs, such as eviction defense and rent relief. However, the measure has received pushback from the real estate sector and others, who claim it’s too general and needs reform.
“For the past three years, Measure ULA has raised funding for affordable housing development across L.A. and supported tens of thousands of Angelenos facing eviction and on the verge of homelessness – but more is needed. For several months now, I have called for an exemption for Palisades residents recovering from the devastating wildfires. And currently, there are threats to decrease or eliminate Measure ULA entirely,” said Bass.
“Measure ULA is a critical tool to help us address the housing and homelessness crisis and to build on our progress by bringing more affordable housing units into the pipeline. I am committed to bringing stakeholders together and looking at all opportunities to ensure Measure ULA remains a critical funding source to help us address Los Angeles’ housing and homelessness crisis.”
Harabedian floats legislation to end insurance-driven fire testing
Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia) introduced legislation, AB 1642, yesterday to establish statewide, science-based standards for post-WUI [wildland-urban interface] fire home testing and clearance.
Currently, there are no statewide rules, and life-altering safety decisions have too often been left to insurers rather than public health experts. Families are left without consistent guidance or protection as they navigate contamination concerns on their own.
“This bill makes one thing clear: when it comes to our families’ health, we trust science, not insurance company guesswork. AB 1642 will create a statewide scientific standard for when it’s safe to return to a home after a wildfire. Public health will be the standard, not the exception,” said Harabedian.
Among supporters of the measure are Jane Lawton Potelle, Executive Director of Eaton Fire Residents United.
“People are exhausted, financially strained, and terrified of harming their families’ health, yet not having the insurance support to stay safe and out of their contaminated homes. We need science-based answers that help us come home and know it’s truly safe to do so,” said Potelle.
The bill will be heard in Assembly policy committees during the spring.
Rivas delivers over $4 million to her district
U.S. Rep. Luz Rivas (D-portions of San Fernando Valley, including Pacoima, Panorama City) announced last Friday that the federal appropriations package passed last week includes over $4 million in federal dollars for new Community Project Funding (CPF) requests within her 29th Congressional District.
“The $4 million in federal funding signed into law makes critical investments for economic opportunities and public safety across the San Fernando Valley,” said Rivas. “This funding will go toward providing direct results and resources that will benefit constituents, including toward computers to enhance STEM education, new software for stronger cybersecurity, and enhanced training for constituents. I am excited to see constituents thrive thanks to the programs these funds will support.”
The appropriation package includes three of Rivas’ CPF requests:
- $2,062,000: Crisis and Incident Response through Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE) (City of Los Angeles). This project will expand the CIRCLE call centers’ operations into communities such as North Hollywood, Sun Valley, and the West Valley to address non-urgent Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) calls involving unhoused individuals.
- $1,039,000: Autodesk Technology Engagement Center (California State University, Northridge). This project is to purchase computers, related peripheral tools and research equipment for the University-Community Makerspace, STEAM Discovery Lab, Lobby and Exhibit Spaces, Next-Gen Student Success Center, and Presentation Room to increase access to state-of-the-art technology for K-12 students and encourage STEAM pathways.
- $1,000,000: Los Angeles Valley College Cybersecurity Center (Los Angeles Valley College). The project would be a valuable use of taxpayer funds because the proposed Cybersecurity Center will provide significant, long-term benefits to CA-29, the state of California, and the broader national cybersecurity ecosystem. This project directly supports California’s statewide initiative to train 50,000 entry-level cybersecurity professionals by 2030 and aligns with NIST’s mission to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness through the advancement of measurement science, standards, and technology.
