LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to today’s announcement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta of criminal charges for 30 detention officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for their alleged roles in facilitating “gladiator fights”:

“These profoundly appalling allegations of child endangerment and abuse are a deeply disturbing betrayal of the County’s responsibility to its young people. I support the steps that Attorney General Bonta and his team have taken to investigate the facts, bring charges, and to hold every person involved accountable.

For far too long, the Los Angeles County Probation Department has struggled to achieve basic accountability in its juvenile institutions. The current culture has emboldened far too many staff to feel the rules don’t apply to them, which puts the health and safety of the young people entrusted to our care at risk. We have failed the young people who were forced or allowed to participate in these “gladiator fights.”

Today’s announcement of criminal charges against 30 staff at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for their alleged involvement in these deplorable acts is a long overdue step towards critical accountability.

It is my expectation that the Probation Department continue to fully support the Attorney General’s investigation and takes demonstrable steps for meaningful and measurable reforms to prevent further harm to the youth in our care and repair the harms already perpetrated.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell who also serves on the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) board, provided the following statement in response to initial AQMD reports of air quality monitoring in areas affected by the recent wildfires shared at Friday February 7, 2025 ADMD public hearing:

“The impact of the recent wildfires requires targeted air quality monitoring for the areas most affected in addition to countywide monitoring to protect public health. South Coast Air Quality Management District is providing on-going updates from mobile monitoring in communities devastated by the wildfires, which can be found here: https://www.aqmd.gov/2025-wildfire-response

During today’s AQMD public meeting, we received updates from its recent mobile monitoring unit in Altadena. Although overall air toxic metals were reported within standard levels, there were localized spikes of methane in a few areas, most likely caused by gas leaks and this has been shared with SoCal Gas to address. We will pay close attention to ongoing mobile updates and as an AQMD board member, I will continue to push for transparent and accessible air quality data.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisors Mitchell and Horvath’s motion for an initial allocation of $2.2 million from the Department of Public Health’s Office of Violence Prevention to pilot gender-based violence (GBV) prevention services. The funds will support partnerships with community-based organizations to provide prevention services, help create a centralized hub for data and resources, and inform future funding to strengthen the County’s existing infrastructure for responding to GBV.

“Gender-based violence takes many forms and affects far too many lives. Expanding preventive strategies and resources, in addition to intervention, is necessary to create lasting change. I look forward to seeing how this pilot – informed by the diverse lived experiences of survivors – will shape the County’s long-term strategies and services to help put an end to this pervasive form of violence,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.

“Los Angeles County is moving from a framework of intervention to one of proactive prevention to address the root causes of gender-based violence,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District. “This focus will fill gaps in critical services—including education focused on our LGBTQ+ communities and young people. By centering the experiences and perspectives of survivors, we are fostering stronger, more resilient communities where everyone can live free from harm.”

Gender-based violence includes, but is not limited to, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, cyber abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault and exploitation, stalking, trafficking, and homophobic and transphobic abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In LA County, 11% of adults have reported physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, which is an estimated 878,000 people countywide.

This funding builds on the Department of Public Health’s existing Domestic Violence intervention and response services, addressing a critical need for prevention services in four key areas: Healthy Relationship Education and Training, Engaging Men and Boys, Innovative Programs to Engage LGBTQ+ Youth, and Economic Empowerment Strategies for Girls.

“Public Health believes that preventing and responding to gender-based violence is a matter of human rights, justice, and equity,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “In Los Angeles County, gender-based violence impacts hundreds of thousands of people. This $2.2 million investment will promote efforts that reduce gender-based violence and improve access to services and safety, particularly for the most marginalized groups. The funding will support a comprehensive approach to prevention and strengthen our ability to scale what works, enhance our partnerships, and build capacity to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. We are deeply grateful to the Board of Supervisors for their leadership and commitment to prioritizing prevention efforts that will help build safer, healthier communities for all.”

Data will be collected throughout the 15-month pilot phase to assess outcomes and inform future funding decisions and a comprehensive report on the effectiveness of these prevention strategies will be shared, with particular attention on examining disparities using the County’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative’s equity analysis tool.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to the Hughes Fire that began on Wednesday, January 23rd:

“I have heard from constituents concerned about their loved ones in evacuation areas, including those at Pitchess Detention Center. My office is in contact with the Sheriff and Fire department and has made it clear that our shared priority is to keep people safe, and that means ensuring there is a plan to evacuate the over 4,000 people at Pitchess as our dedicated first responders work to hold the line on the fires. My office will continue to monitor this situation closely.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on the passing of former president of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards:

“I saw firsthand Cecile Richards’s dedication to advancing reproductive health rights, education and care when I served on the Board of Planned Parenthood Sacramento Valley and in the CA state legislature, where I worked with Planned Parenthood and other health organizations to expand access to birth control throughout California. We have a lost a champion for reproductive health, abortion access, gender equality, and social justice with the passing of Cecile. I extend my condolences to all who mourn her.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement regarding the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas:

“I, along with countless others, am relieved that in the final hours of the Biden-Harris administration, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has been achieved along with the initial return of hostages that will continue into the days ahead. There have been so many tragedies leading up to this moment. This ceasefire is a significant first step on what will be a long journey to restoration and hope for Palestine, Israelis, and our collective humanity. My thoughts and prayers are with all who have faced immeasurable loss as a result of this tragedy. We must work together toward a future where peace is not just an ideal but a reality for all.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to the Los Angeles County Superior Court continuing its decision on Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall pending an update from the County’s Probation Department on its efforts to achieve compliance with the Board of State and Community Corrections.

“Close to half of the young people in Los Padrinos are from my district. While getting into BSCC compliance is the immediate priority, our youth need and deserve more than just compliance. They must be safe and provided with the appropriate supportive services to meet their individual rehabilitative needs.

It is my expectation that Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa use his emergency authority – recently provided by the Board of Supervisors – to the fullest extent to urgently address the safety, staffing, and programmatic needs at Los Padrinos and to safely release the young people who are not deemed a threat to the safety of themselves or others.

To help reduce unnecessary detentions, I have asked the District Attorney’s office to consider embedding a prosecutor at Los Padrinos to support the review of charges of arresting agencies. I also ask that the court consider revising its “arrest on first” policy that requires Probation Officers to immediately return young people to juvenile hall for even minor transgressions – like being tardy to school.

Juvenile halls are intended to be a temporary holding space for young people to get the support they need while awaiting the resolution of their legal process. The problem is our halls have not functioned that way and are asked to do much more than they’re designed for.

We need a concerted effort between the Probation Department and other County departments, law enforcement agencies, and community partners to stop the revolving door of young people cycling in and out of our halls. This should include increased investments in re-entry services and more community placement options with housing, along with supporting the efforts of our Department of Youth Development, which was created to provide developmental services, programs, and other care-first supports to reduce youth justice system involvement equitably.

The County’s responsibility to the young people in our care requires that we meet the moment before us with the urgency and ingenuity it demands for transformative change.”