Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón Restricts Ability to Prosecute Dangerous Criminals

In a Tweet yesterday LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva stated, “While gang members are busy driving up LA County’s homicide rate, LA DA @GeorgeGascon is now dismantling the Hardcore Gang Unit that works in collaboration with local law enforcement”. An article in the Washington Examiner today by Jake Dima brings to light statements made like the one by Sheriff Villanueva and other prosecutors that oppose the so-called reform policies being enacted by LA County DA Gascón. 

Jonathan Hatami, a prosecutor for LA County said, “The Gang and Narcotics units have both been slashed in half. This will lead to more violence on our streets and more victims in our communities. And it puts public safety at a greater risk.” 

“We can already hear in jail calls and interviews with officers on the street telling us that the gang members are laughing at them, I mean it’s undermined the credibility of law enforcement in its entirety,” another attorney said.

Dima points out that Gascón began his term as District Attorney by removing the sentencing enhancements against Rhett Nelson, who had been arrested for allegedly shooting LA County Sheriff Deputy Joseph Solano in the head. The  campaign to recall Gascón has been fueled by his open distain for the police, the prosecutors who serve under him and crime victims.