Posted on 07/29/2024
ONE BIG THING: UNARMED CRISIS RESPONSE IN LA
What Happened?
LA’s Unarmed Model for Crisis Response is one of a few nonviolent emergency response programs that has begun successfully diverting calls related to issues like homelessness and nuisances from LAPD to trained unarmed responders.
Even though the Unarmed Model of Crisis Response was funded as a small pilot program in just three LAPD Divisions, in only a few months it has already:
- Diverted over to 1,658 calls from LAPD to trained unarmed responders
- 96% of calls were completed entirely without LAPD support
Why it Matters
Keeping our public safe should be the city's number one priority and we can do that in a smarter and more effective way. When 91% of LAPD calls are nonviolent, we should take this huge opportunity to stop overburdening our current system – so police officers can respond quickly to violent crime and life threatening emergencies.
With just a fraction of the funding that we spend on other public safety programs, we’re already achieving great results. And even more promising is that we’re learning how to scale up these systems so that soon they could hopefully service the entire city.
What's Next?
At most, we’ve spent $24 million in one year on nonviolent response, when this year’s budget allocated $3.4 billion (14,000% more money) to the LAPD.
We can only transform public safety in LA if we fund it properly, but luckily we now have pilot models to learn from as we construct a centralized citywide program that truly makes Angelenos safer.
Two More Quick Hits!
1. Barnsdall Art Center and Junior Art Center Re-Opens!
Last weekend we stopped by Barnsdall Art Park for the Grand Re-Opening of the Barnsdall Art Center and Junior Art Center after a four year hiatus!
Community-based arts is so important for our district, and these organizations provide incredible programs for kids and adults alike at a modest price. Check them out on social media at @dcabarnsdallartscenter, @juniorartscenter and @bjacgallery.
2. Community Cleanup Spotlight
It takes passion and dedication to uplift the community, and those two words describe Cathy J. Hood! Cathy is a Hollywood resident and business owner working to uplift the community by organizing monthly Community Cleanups in Hollywood and East Hollywood with neighbors, friends, and coworkers.
Organizing can take so many forms, and Cathy is showing how we can build a better future for CD13. Thank you everyone who has come out to one of our community cleanups, and if you’re interested in organizing a cleanup in your neighborhood, visit bit.ly/cleanup13.
Save the Date!
Saturday, August 3 – Children’s Hospital Community Wellness Festival (Community Resource Fair in East Hollywood)
Saturday, August 24 – Ukrainian Independence Day (Celebration at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in East Hollywood)
CD13 Pet of the Week
This week’s Pet of the Week is Simba - perhaps District 13's chillest husky. Simba is 3 years old, and he was adopted from the North Central Shelter on Christmas Eve of 2022.
He was adopted right after his owner’s mother had a stroke, and Simba has been a lifesaver in so many ways. He had training as a service dog from his previous owners, and completed his training at Paws-For-Life at the North Valley Shelter to help with his owner’s disability.
He’s not the ‘talkative’ type of husky; he's just chill, and content to doze on and off, after an hour of play at the Silverlake Dog Park. Simba is incredibly smart and can learn any new trick in less than 15 minutes!
A huge shout out of “I WUV YOU!” to Dalen and all the animal shelter volunteers and employees who help these pets find homes and improve lives.
