This comes amid growing frustration over violent crimes, assaults, and a lack of urgency to implement safety measures on Metro trains, buses, platforms and stations. The motion specifically calls for a detailed report from the LAPD and Metro highlighting safety statistics from 2017-2024, including a victim demographic breakdown.

The Impetus – A Tragic Stabbing and Simmering Safety Fears

The motion, introduced by LA Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, was prompted by the brutal daylight stabbing of 66-year old grandmother Mirna Soza Arauz on a Metro B Line (Red) train in April. Arauz was stabbed multiple times in an unprovoked attack and later died from her injuries. Her tragic killing highlighted the vulnerabilities Metro riders face and sparked outrage over perceptions that more priority is given to protecting wildlife than human passengers.

Councilmembers pointed out the irony that the city can build special animal crossings but appears unable to ensure working-class Angelenos can safely ride transit to their jobs without fear of assault. The fact Arauz was attacked in broad daylight further emphasized the lawlessness and dangers riders face daily. her death also highlighted worries that Metro remains unsafe for elderly passengers and vulnerable groups.

Ongoing Safety Issues on LA’s Transit System

Arauz’s killing follows years of well-documented safety issues on Metro buses, trains and stations. According to Metro data, violent crimes rose 69% from 2020 to 2024. In 2021, there were 2 homicides, 70 aggravated assaults and 14 rapes reported across the system.

Additionally, LA riders and bus operators have increasingly faced verbal and physical harassment and attacks. Many report being threatened, punched, spit on, sexually harassed, robbed and more. Operators alone reported over 600 assaults in 2023, though many more incidents likely go unreported.

The perpetrators often escape consequences, leaving riders and drivers feeling unprotected. Drug use, smoking, fare evasion, vandalism and other violations are also rampant, diminishing quality of life for riders and workers.

As the city gears up to host the 2028 Olympics, officials worry about the dreadful optics of visitors experiencing an unsafe, chaotic transit system. Councilman John Lee argues “we can’t have people hearing stories, coming in and already being afraid to use our public transportation system.”

Why Has Metro Failed to Ensure Safety?

Critics argue LA Metro has chronically deprioritized passenger and employee safety while mismanaging resources and funding. They contend Metro focuses more on expansion projects than protecting its current riders.

Many also blast Metro for being slow to adopt proven safety solutions like barriers, guards, updated technology and stronger consequences for offenders. For example, despite years of assaults, Metro only just approved installing protective plexiglass barriers on all 2,000 buses by 2024. Critics say that timeline is still too slow.

There are also concerns Metro hides the true scale of safety issues by underreporting crime stats. Some allege Metro purposefully obscures data to downplay dangers, frustrating efforts to fully understand problems.

Metro itself has admitted past safety programs have been “ineffective” and pledged to do better. But many say urgent action, not more dialogue, is needed now.

LA City Council Demands Answers and Accountability

The LA City Council motion aims to hold Metro accountable by compelling it to transparently detail safety issues and efforts to date. The report will include annual crime data from 2017-2024, covering the scope of safety problems across Metro’s recent history. Requiring a victim demographic breakdown also seeks to illuminate which groups are most impacted.

Additionally, demanding simultaneous reports from Metro and LAPD aims to reconcile any conflicting statistics between agencies. Councilmembers contend Metro has previously provided information that diminishes certain crimes or shifts blame elsewhere.

The end goal is for Metro to definitively demonstrate whether past funding and initiatives have moved the needle on safety. The report will also inform data-driven decisions on further improving security measures.

Some solutions Metro is pursuing or considering include:

• Installing platform barrier gates at stations
• Increasing security cameras/updating camera technology
• Implementing facial recognition and AI video analytics
• Developing ability to remotely monitor buses/trains
• Strengthening consequences for repeat offenders
• Banning problematic individuals from the system
• Increasing security guards/police presence

While promising, Councilmembers note many such solutions have been discussed for years without being implemented. The motion demands evidence these ideas are being rapidly deployed to protect vulnerable riders now, not years from now.

The Bigger Picture – Public Transit Safety in Focus Nationwide

LA Metro is not alone in facing public safety crises. Transit systems nationwide are grappling with rising crime, harassment and decreasing ridership. Systems in New York City, San Francisco, Philadelphia and more have faced high-profile attacks, contributing to fears over urban transportation.

However, the unique scale of LA’s sprawling, fragmented transit networks present distinct challenges. Metro moves nearly 1.2 million daily passengers across 93 cities – more than double the ridership of transit systems in New York and Chicago combined.

Securing such an expansive system on a tight budget is daunting. Yet Metro also shoulders great expectations as a critical mobility provider in America’s second largest city. With the 2028 Olympics magnifying global attention, the pressure is on to urgently improve safety.

Many eyes are on LA, as public transit increasingly represents a microcosm of debates over crime, policing, mental health and livability in US cities. How LA tackles reforming Metro safety could prove a bellwether for transit agencies nationwide.

In demanding urgent action and accountability from Metro leadership now, the LA City Council is signaling the time for excuses is over. Riders like Mirna Soza Arauz deserve – and have the right – to use public transit without risking their lives. Metro must finally make passenger and employee safety the top priority. I sincerely hope you find this “Los Angeles City Council Demands Accountability Over Safety Concerns on Metro- Whats the Story?” article helpful.

The post Los Angeles City Council Demands Accountability Over Safety Concerns on Metro- Whats the Story? appeared first on Los Angeles Daily News.

The High-Tech Tactics of “Burglary Tourists”

According to Patch, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials have shed light on the modus operandi of these so-called “burglary tourists,” who engage in a practice known as “burglary tourism.” These organized crime groups, frequently comprised of Chilean or Colombian nationals, are highly mobile criminal enterprises that travel across states, meticulously planning and executing burglaries and thefts.

Their tactics are alarmingly covert and technologically advanced. By strategically planting hidden cameras amidst natural surroundings like leaves and bushes, they can remotely monitor homeowners’ activities and patterns of movement in real-time, leveraging the live feed from these discreetly placed surveillance devices.

Extensive Reconnaissance and Swift Deployment

Before deploying their covert cameras these burglary crews conduct extensive scouting missions, carefully identifying optimal locations for placement, focusing on areas with minimal visibility from homeowners or law enforcement. Once a suitable spot is identified, they operate with remarkable swiftness, deploying the hidden cameras within minutes to minimize the risk of detection.

The recent discovery of a camera concealed within a flowerbed in the affluent Calabasas neighborhood has sent shockwaves through the community prompting a call to action from local authorities.

“We are asking the community to be vigilant” stated a Sheriff’s Department representative. “While out gardening or if you have someone that maintains your yard, be on the lookout for suspicious devices. If a suspicious device is found, immediately report it to the Malibu/Lost Hills Station or your local law enforcement.”

Enhancing Home Security and Vigilance

In response to this unsettling trend, law enforcement officials are urging residents to implement heightened security measures and remain vigilant. Recommendations include conducting regular inspections of properties, particularly outdoor areas, for any signs of tampering or unusual objects as well as enhancing home security systems with motion-activated lights, perimeter fencing and surveillance cameras.

Immediate reporting of any suspicious findings such as hidden cameras or unfamiliar individuals, to local authorities is also strongly advised, as prompt action can aid in investigations and potentially thwart future burglary attempts. I sincerely hope you find this “Secret Flowerbed Camera Uncovered, Residents on Edge in LA County-FInd Out Details” article helpful.

The post Secret Flowerbed Camera Uncovered, Residents on Edge in LA County-FInd Out Details appeared first on Los Angeles Daily News.

Saigon’s Fall and the Start of a Vietnamese Exodus

April 30, 1975 was the day Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces. It marked the end of the Vietnam War and the start of a mass exodus of Vietnamese seeking refuge abroad. Many faced imprisonment re-education camps, or even execution at the hands of the communist regime.

The memorie remain raw for Vietnamese-American like state Senator Janet Nguyen. Her uncle a South Vietnamese Army officer was brought before his village and killed after the fall. Her parents were jailed for trying to escape.

For Assemblymember Tri Ta, April 30th brings back memorie of his father’s years in a re-education camp for daring to write books critical of communism.

Stories like these are common among the 2.3 million Vietnamese-Americans living in the U.S. They refer to April 30th as “Black April” and observe it as a solemn day of mourning and remembrance.

So when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor declared the date “Jane Fonda Day” to honor her activism the Vietnamese-American community was deeply offended.

To them Jane Fonda represent something very different. Her controversial 1972 visit to North Vietnam earned her the derogatory nickname “Hanoi Jane.” Photo of her laughing with North Vietnamese soldier and sitting at their anti-aircraft guns caused lasting anger among many Vietnamese refugees and American veterans.

Assemblymembers Call for Reversal of Jane Fonda Day, Citing Offense to Veterans’ Sacrifice

That is why Assemblymembers Tri Ta and Stephanie Nguyen quickly authored a letter decrying the honor as “an affront to the service and sacrifice of American and South Vietnamese soldiers.” Signed by nearly every Republican in the Assembly it urged the supervisors to rescind Jane Fonda Day.

The designation was not meant as an intentional slight according to a spokesperson for the supervisors. The date was simply chosen because it coincided with a regular meeting for issuing proclamations. Nonetheless the board soon voted to rename the occasion out of respect for the Vietnamese-American community.

To many the incident reflects a broader lack of awareness of Vietnamese-American history and sensitivities. Other examples include a 2017 bill to repeal California’s ban on communist government employees. Fierce backlash from Vietnamese refugees forced the legislator to quickly withdraw the bill and issue an apology.

Senator Janet Nguyen now make a point of introducing anti-communism resolutions in the very liberal California legislature. As she explains, escaping communist rule is precisely what allows Vietnamese-Americans to “treasure democracy and freedom” today.

Controversy Surrounding Jane Fonda Day

So while Jane Fonda Day may have been well-intentioned it touched a nerve for California’s over 500,000 Vietnamese-Americans. Black April remain a solemn memorial to the suffering, loss, and sacrifice endured under communism in Vietnam. For many refugee and their families, the painful memorie are still too near. Honoring controversial figure like Jane Fonda on that symbolic date can come across as profoundly disconnect from their communal trauma and identity.

It is only by learning this collective history and perspective that politicians and communities can avoid similar missteps. The outrage over Jane Fonda Day presents a teaching moment and a chance at greater understanding between Vietnamese-Americans and their neighbors. Through open dialogue, commemorations like Black April can perhaps become occasions to acknowledge the past while still envisioning a more inclusive future. I sincerely hope you find this “Vietnamese Reaction to Jane Fonda Day in L.A County – why is it considered significant?” article helpful.

The post Vietnamese Reaction to Jane Fonda Day in L.A County – why is it considered significant? appeared first on Los Angeles Daily News.

Background of the Protests Student activists at Pomona have been demanding the college administration publicly call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Gaza conflict and divest endowment funds from corporations with ties to Israel’s activities in Gaza and the West Bank. There have been ongoing campus protests, including an April occupation of the president’s office that led to 19 arrests.

With graduation approaching, protesters stepped up actions by setting up an encampment on the commencement stage. They refused to leave, forcing Pomona to take the extraordinary measure of moving graduation to an off-campus location – the iconic Shrine Auditorium in LA.

Graduation Day: Protesters Descend on the Shrine

However, protesters were determined to take their demonstrations to the new graduation venue. On Sunday afternoon, over 100 pro-Palestine supporters gathered outside the Shrine Auditorium. Clashes soon erupted with the dozens of LAPD officers securing the area.

According to reports, some protesters “charged” the police lines. Officers pushed back forcefully, with batons drawn. One protester claimed they used excessive force, striking people in the stomach, including several women. There was also an allegation an officer pulled off a Muslim woman’s hijab during a takedown.

A legal observer with the National Lawyers Guild said they witnessed police shoving a guild member wearing a green hat to the ground, despite clearly identifying themselves. This “shows the police were trying to intimidate students and punish them for exercising First Amendment rights,” said a protester.

The Confrontations Continue Around 6:30 pm, most protesters marched away from the auditorium and regrouped in a nearby courtyard. A Pomona graduate gave a speech calling for an end to the war and university divestment from Israel.

Protester Tharwa Khalid said officers had escalated the situation with no warning, pushing people down and striking them. She stated several women sustained bruising from baton blows to the stomach.

Meanwhile, graduation went ahead inside the Shrine Auditorium. Later in the evening, protesters dispersed, and police cordoned off the area. A few late family members were initially denied entry but eventually allowed in to see their graduates collect their degrees.

Echoes of USC Commencement Controversy

The scenes outside the Shrine Auditorium echoed recent events at USC. Pro-Palestine protests also forced USC to cancel graduation on campus and move it to the LA Coliseum. They held an alternative event with drones and fireworks but no student speeches.

Like at USC, Pomona student activists are calling for administration condemnation of Israeli military actions and divestment from firms involved with the occupation. They accuse the college of failing to stand up for human rights in Palestine.

Protests Also at Nearby Harvey Mudd College Ceremony Nearby Harvey Mudd College held its commencement on the same day. Around 30 graduates protested in support of Palestinians, wearing mortarboards with “Cut defense ties” messages.

Some students waved Palestinian flags in their graduate photos. Others revealed banners reading “Free Palestine” and “No tech for genocide.”

In her speech, graduate Saachi Patel said her degree meant little given the civilian deaths in Gaza. She stood with students demanding divestment from firms tied to the conflict, triggering applause and cheers from some families.

Ongoing Tensions Around College Campuses The clashes at the Shrine Auditorium reflect growing tensions over the Israel-Palestine conflict on American college campuses. Student activist groups like Students for Justice in Palestine regularly protest, call for boycotts, and demand universities cut ties with firms that profit from Israeli policies towards Palestinians.

However, many Jewish students and administrators accuse such activism of being antisemetic. There have been allegations of intimidation against Jewish and pro-Israel students. Some states have even passed legislation aimed at suppressing the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement over Israel’s activities in the occupied territories.

With no sign of an end to the Gaza conflict, campus debates over divestment and the Israeli-Palestinian issue look set to intensify next semester. The scenes at Pomona’s relocated graduation highlight how protests can spiral into confrontation and violence in this heated environment.

The Pomona graduation controversy raises challenging questions about free speech, student activism, academic freedom, and campus safety. As Middle East violence continues, administrators will likely face further pressure from opposing student groups demanding they take a stand on this polarizing issue. I sincerely hope you find this “Why Los Angeles Pomona college graduation moved to historic shrine auditorium? What Really Happened?” article helpful.

The post Why Los Angeles Pomona college graduation moved to historic shrine auditorium? What Really Happened? appeared first on Los Angeles Daily News.