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Month: November 2024

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Happy Thanksgiving Adoption Weekend

LA Animal Services will offer reduced adoption fees this Thanksgiving weekend to help the pets in the six Centers find loving homes. Like many shelters across the country, the Department is facing high intake numbers of cats and dogs, with medium- and large-sized dogs making up the majority of the pet population. Click here to view adoptable pets.

Furry friends adopted from LA Animal Services join their new families already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Adopters also receive a Petco flyer with discounts to help make their pet adoption a success and a VCA Healthy Start Certificate, which provides up to $250 of follow-up veterinary care within the first 14 days of adoption, and for a limited time, a free dog or cat bed thanks to a donation from Chewy and Greater Good Charities. In addition, dogs are also eligible for free dog training classes with Paws for Life K9 Rescue at their People & Pet Innovation Center in Mission Hills, CA. Contact info@pawsforlifecanine.org for more details.

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LAPD Budget Approved: $2.14 Billion Spending Plan for 2025-26

The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners has approved a $2.14 billion budget for the LAPD’s 2025-26 fiscal year. This plan reflects an 8.1% increase, or $160.5 million more, compared to the current budget. The proposal now moves to Mayor Karen Bass and the City Administrative Office for review, with the mayor expected to present the city’s full budget in late April 2025.

A Breakdown of the Budget

The spending plan includes several critical areas of investment:

  • $145.3 million for salary adjustments, overtime, recruitment, and staffing improvements.
  • $45.2 million for replacing police vehicles and acquiring two helicopters to replace aging ones.
  • $3.9 million for technology, including upgrades to the Real-Time Crime Center, wireless cameras, and cybersecurity operations.
  • $747,252 for security services.

According to Trina Unzicker, commanding officer of the LAPD’s Fiscal Group, the proposed budget is designed to address the department’s expanding responsibilities while staying mindful of the city’s financial challenges. “Every dollar requested aligns with our mission to provide professional, effective, and equitable law enforcement services to all Angelenos,” she said.

Additional Responsibilities and Oversight

Commissioner Rasha Gerges Shields clarified that the budget isn’t just for LAPD operations but also supports the Office of Inspector General and the police commission. Shields highlighted the growing demands placed on the department, particularly in administering the city’s hotel and short-term rental ordinance, which involves processing over 9,000 permits annually.

“These are things, a lot of times, the department is criticized for asking for more and more money,” Shields explained. “But this is a very good example of how more and more responsibilities are thrust upon the department, whether or not they are the right avenue.”

Next Steps

The unanimous approval by the commission marks the first step in a lengthy budget process. The proposal’s fate will depend on review by Mayor Bass and city officials as they balance competing priorities amid a projected citywide deficit through 2028-29.

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Run for a Seat on our Board

All 17 Board seats are now open for filing with the City Clerk. Candidate filing closes on Friday, January 6, at 11:59 p.m.

There are two ways to file:

1) The City Clerk election portal

2) Download the paper application, complete, and then use U.S. mail, email to clerk.election@lacity.org, or fax to 213-978-0376 to submit. Candidate application – English

Candidate application Spanish

Those who live within the Harbor Gateway North boundaries will also need to submit a copy of their photo ID as proof of their address and age. Those who work, own property, or are Community Interest stakeholders filing for the At-Large position will need to provide additional documentation per the City Clerk’s requirements. See more details in the NC Documentation Guide Other information can be found at https://clerk.lacity.gov/clerk-services/elections/neighborhood-council-elections

Board member terms are two years, beginning July 1, 2025. Board members will need to be able to attend most of the monthly Board meetings held via Zoom on the second Tuesday of each month, plus the four quarterly in-person General Membership meetings held on the fourth Tuesdays of January, April, July, and October. Board members are also required to take five trainings (Ethics, Funding, Code of Conduct, Anti-Bias training, and Gender Expression/Gender Identity training) via an online portal.

For other questions, contact the City Clerk’s office clerk.election.org or telephone using 213-978-0444 or 1-888-873-1000.

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Los Angeles City Council Confirms New LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

McDonnell is an LAPD veteran, ex-Long Beach police chief, ex-Los Angeles County sheriff

The Los Angeles City Council has confirmed former Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell as the 59th chief of the LAPD, the nation’s third-largest law enforcement agency. The decision, which passed with an 11-2 vote, supports Mayor Karen Bass’s nominee amid concerns from some immigrant rights advocates and other activists. McDonnell’s new role comes as Los Angeles faces significant security challenges, with the city set to host major events like the Olympics, the Super Bowl, and the World Cup in the coming years. Additionally, he will address recruitment issues, work on improving officer morale, and reduce liability claims related to officer misconduct.

McDonnell emphasized his commitment to public safety, stating, “My job every day will be to help keep you safe, and I want to be clear to all people of Los Angeles, especially our immigrant community … feeling uncertainty and fear. This is a city of immigrants, and my job is to serve you.” His confirmation, however, was met with opposition from Council members Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunissess Hernandez, who expressed concerns over McDonnell’s past policies as county sheriff from 2014 to 2018, when he allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into county jails.

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  • November 10, 2024 in LAPD

District 7 Clean Up Day November 2_2024 ENGLISH

Join the Harbor Gateway North Community Cleanup and Bulky Item Drop-Off Event on November 2, 2024!

The Harbor Gateway North Neighborhood Council invites community members to participate in a Community Cleanup and Bulky Item Drop-Off on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event is a fantastic opportunity for residents to come together and keep their neighborhood clean and beautiful. Volunteers can sign in and find a dumpster at the 200 E. block of 116th Place, with an additional dumpster available at the corner of San Pedro Street and 116th Place. As a thank-you, lunch will be provided for the first 20 volunteers who sign in.

The event is supported by Councilmember Tim McOsker, who has provided two roll-over dumpster containers, while tools will be available through the Office of Community Beautification.

For more information or to get involved, contact the Harbor Gateway North Neighborhood Council at info@harborgatewaynorth.org or call 310-768-3853.

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