RANTZ & RAVEZ-Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (who called police officers killers) and City Councilmembers responded to the demands of protestors and rioters by slashing $150 million from the 2020-2021 LAPD budget.

LAs taxpaying residents and business owners were ignored by city officials who continue to permit the city to turn more neighborhoods into homeless camps with expanding decay and rising violent crime trends.

All but two voting councilmembers approved Garcettis 2020-2021 city budget which took $150 million from the LAPD and passed it to various organizations that serve minority communities in LA. Following the hatchet job on the LAPDs budget, the council adjourned, canceling future July meetings in order to go on a near month-long summer recess. This is happening while our City is on semi-lockdown due to the coronavirus that is spreading and infecting more people in the region and other American cities.

The FBI continues to investigate elected and appointed officials at City Hall, and two elected councilmembers have already been arrested; one has agreed to go to prison without a trial. A cloud of suspicion remains over the question of when the next arrest or arrests will occur as the investigation of illegal activity, bribes, and corruption continues to be conducted by FBI agents.

While members of the council enjoy their extended summer vacation and annual salary of over $207,000, the taxpayers of Los Angeles continue to struggle to find jobs, pay bills and find funds to repair the damages caused by the recent riots in large sections of the city. The lack of leadership and support displayed by the Mayor and Councilmembers for the LAPD and people of LA is truly a sad situation for Angelenos.

While the majority of the council voted to slash $150 million in public safety funds from the police budget, only two councilmembers had the courage to stand up to the anti-police groups calling for the financial reduction and redistribution to other causes. Councilmembers John Lee from the 12th District in the San Fernando Valley and Joe Buscaino from CD 15 in South Los Angeles and San Pedro. The rest of the council followed the lead of our spineless mayor and those pushing for the reduction in police funding. Keep this in mind when you call 911 in the future and there is a delay in the response time of officers.

Remember the names of the councilmembers who have turned their backs on public safety for all people in Los Angeles. Remember them when they ask you to vote for new tax increases which will appear on future ballots. Since they have turned their backs on public safety for you and your family, they might be better suited to find jobs in the private sector. I will remind you of those names this November and in future years. They do not deserve your votes.

On the subject of the November 3 election, let me share what Sacramento officials have in store for you and your wallets on the statewide ballot. There are currently 12 propositions that have qualified for the November election.

It is time to clean your guns and purchase fresh ammo. Be prepared to protect yourself and your family as we approach November and the state and national elections.

(Dennis P. Zine is a native of Los Angeles who retired from the LAPD after serving 33 years. Dennis remains an active Level 1 LAPD Reserve Officer. Dennis served for two years as the vice chairman on the Elected Los Angeles City Charter Reform Commission and was a member of the Los Angeles City Council for 12 years.) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.

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Politicians Turn Their Backs on Public Safety and Will Want More of Your Money in November - City Watch