Mike, Alissa, and Rachel discuss how LA’s budget crisis could lead to an LAPD with fewer officers and more accountability around its helicopter fleet. Metro hires a chief for its new in-house police department. Plus, why LA County approved a $4 billion settlement for thousands of sexual abuse claims, and what this means for survivors. Support LA Podcast – become a paid subscriber today at thinkforward.la
A JPL study on the "effectiveness" of LAPD helicopter patrols was conducted in the 1960s. The authors later said the study was flawed and the study findings — which include statements like: "The citizens of Los Angeles accept helicopter patrols as a necessary part of the City’s police system and strongly favor their continuation" — are still presented as facts on the LAPD website
City Controller Kenneth Mejia’s 2023 helicopter report showed that LAPD’s program costs nearly $50 million annually while most of the flight time is not devoted to high-priority events
LA City fire union leaders including Freddy Escobar were suspended after an International Association of Fire Fighters audit showed over $800,000 expenditures without receipts
"I cannot forget that for weeks survivors were told that seeking justice for our abuse will bankrupt the state. How is that our problem? Why do survivors need to be reigned in?" Rachel’s piece about efforts to roll back AB 218
On Friday, May 30, Rachel will join Francesca Fiorentini for The Bitchuation Room Live in Los Angeles at the Elysian Theater — get tickets here
