LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to the court ruling for the Probation Department to create a depopulation plan for Los Padrinos. 

“Today’s court ruling for the Probation Department to create a plan for depopulating Los Padrinos reinforces the urgency for Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa to use his emergency authority, provided by the Board of Supervisors, to the fullest extent to safely release the young people who are not deemed a threat to themselves or others. I am deeply concerned for the more than 200 young people and their families impacted by this court order, nearly half of whom are from my district. It is my expectation that the depopulation plan does not just speak to placement but also addresses the diverse needs of the young people in our care. Our Probation Department in collaboration with County departments and community partners, must do everything possible to ensure the health, safety, and rehabilitation of youth who may be released or moved to other LA County Probation facilities.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Building on the County’s efforts to prevent and address illegal street racing and takeovers, today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell’s motion calling for amendments to the County’s ordinance to be brought back to the Board of Supervisors within 90 days based off recommendations from the County’s Street Takeover Reduction Workgroup that includes increasing misdemeanor fines from $500 to $1,000, clarifying that these penalties apply to those who organize, participate and spectate in illegal street takeover events and updating language in ordinance to include the word takeovers.  

The motion also calls for a letter from the Board of Supervisors urging leading social media platforms to enforce their own terms and conditions that already prohibit promoting illegal activities by removing and demonetizing posts on illegal street racing and takeovers.  

“This is one of many approaches we are taking to address this issue that far too many of my constituents are impacted by” said Supervisor Mitchell, who represents Los Angeles County’s Second District, which has the highest number of incidents and saw an increase by 106 takeovers within one quarter alone, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “The amendments I am calling for the County’s ordinance match efforts taken by local cities for our unincorporated communities and provide relevant and clarifying language to help end these harmful and often deadly activities that impact participants, spectators, and surrounding neighborhoods.” 

In 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Mitchell’s motion establishing the County’s Takeover Reduction Workgroup to develop a comprehensive Action Plan informed by the County’s Chief Executive Office, Department of Public Works, Department of Youth Development, Sheriff’s Department, County Counsel, law enforcement agencies, advocacy organizations, and residents.  

“I want to thank Supervisor Mitchell for introducing this motion to hold those who organize and participate in street takeovers accountable and for sending a strong message to social media companies that they cannot continue to incentivize the promotion of illegal takeovers at the expense of the residents of Los Angeles County,” shared Lili Trujillo Puckett, Founder and Executive Director of Street Racing Kills and member of the County’s Street Takeover Reduction Group, she continued “I know this pain firsthand—my daughter was killed in a street race. This tragic and unnecessary loss fuels my mission to put an end to these deadly events and prevent other families from suffering the same heartbreak.” 

Today’s vote is an important first step. Within 90 days the amended ordinance is slated to be presented to the Board of Supervisors for an initial reading, once approved it returns to the Board of Supervisors for a final vote to adopt the updated ordinance.  

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to the County’s Chief Executive Office request to allow County departments to hire outside workers in the event of a labor strike.

“I support our labor unions and their members who are vital to the County’s ability to deliver services to millions of residents. The goal is to do all we can to avoid a strike and to be prepared to preserve the core functions of the County to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of our residents in the event that union members decide a strike is necessary, which I fully respect. The County has a responsibility to stay at the negotiation table and to not leave our communities more vulnerable if a strike does happen. If someone comes to our hospitals with a medical emergency or calls our Fire Department in crisis, we must ensure continuity in the care and support our residents rely on and deserve.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to the arrest of suspect alleged to have threatened Metro crew members with violence on the Metro C Line Extension project. 

“I take the concerns of my constituents seriously, which is why I’ve organized several community events focused on the Metro C-Line, including a walking tour with residents to discuss the proposed changes directly with Metro staff and my office. While we may not all agree on every aspect of this project, we can all agree that violence, or the threat of violence, will not be tolerated. 

Metro crew members are fulfilling their duties by collecting data to address the very concerns residents have raised. As both a Metro Board Member and County Supervisor, it is my responsibility to help ensure that our residents and employees feel safe in our communities. I want to thank the Sheriff’s Department and Metro for their prompt response to the threat. My office will continue to monitor the situation and remain engaged with the project.” 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on her abstention on the motion to Implement Recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Homelessness Report that passed today by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in a 4-0 vote:

“I abstained from voting on the motion to create a new County Homeless Department, which is expected to cost the County $1 billion in funding and move over 200 positions from LAHSA due to a lack of key details that are critical for distinguishing why this new department will be more effective and not just a reshuffling of resources and people without improved outcomes for our residents experiencing homelessness.

We have a responsibility to continuously evaluate and adjust the strategies we are using to solve the moral and economic crisis that is homelessness. The motion voted on today presented a rushed timeline that didn’t provide clear metrics or deadlines for when the public will be able to track the new department’s progress.

To help address this, I presented an amendment to include defined benchmarks for success such as tracking and sharing the time it takes for people to be sheltered and permanently housed and extending the start date from July 1 of this year to October 1 to allow three additional months for authentic stakeholder engagement to help inform how the new department will be formed by people directly tied to its success. The amendments were not accepted, leaving no way for me to support the motion without a clear plan for how these sweeping changes will create a visible and lasting impact in keeping our fellow residents off the streets and housed with the supportive services that meet their needs.

The authors of the motion, the County’s Chief Executive Officer, along with the leadership of the County’s Homeless Initiative and Housing for Health teams assured the Board and the public today that no service interruption would occur during or post the transition to creating this new department, and that the establishment of the new department would be cost neutral. I will be closely monitoring and expecting public reports on the status of this commitment for the residents of the 2nd District.

We have reached an inflection point with the passage of Measure A. For the first time, thanks to the residents of LA County, we now have a sustainable source of funding for addressing homelessness. We owe it to every person experiencing homelessness and the concerned residents who want to see their neighborhoods restored to their intended use to set clear benchmarks for accountability and transparency on how every cent is used. Rushing to create a new department without a clear plan for how we will define success as a County shows that we can move fast, but it doesn’t mean we are being more effective.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — This week the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Janice Hahn to reinstate and strengthen a pilot program by June 2025 to better serve unhoused residents at LA County libraries in need of mental health support. The motion directs the LA County Department of Mental Health and the Library Department to collaborate in providing an on-site clinician and/or licensed social workers at 10 libraries with the highest reported needs for support serving unhoused residents (libraries will be selected in each of the five Supervisorial Districts).  

“This motion is in response to the homelessness and mental health crisis and the skills it requires to properly address it that are outside the expertise of our library staff,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District. “Over half of the incidents reported are at libraries in my district. It is our responsibility to ensure our libraries are safe for all residents and our staff.”  

Supervisor Janice Hahn, representing the Fourth District, shared, “The truth is that some people who visit our libraries are facing challenges, whether that is homelessness, mental health struggles, or addiction. Our librarians do incredible work, but they are not trained to address complex social or behavioral issues – nor should they be.  By bringing social workers into some of our libraries, we can better help people who are struggling, and our librarians can focus on their jobs.”  

84 County libraries serve over 3.4 million customers a year. From October 2018 to December 2024, over 19,000 security incidents that involved people experiencing homelessness were reported at County libraries, with over 54% happening in Los Angeles County’s Second District alone.  

“Public libraries have long been safe havens for those seeking refuge, resources, and support, especially for our unhoused neighbors,” said Skye Patrick, Library Director of LA County Library. “By bringing mental health clinicians back into those high-need spaces, we are not only providing immediate care to those who need it most but also sending a powerful message that mental health support belongs everywhere, including our libraries.” 

Today’s motion builds on steps taken by the County to make services more accessible to library patrons experiencing homelessness, including a 2018 pilot program to help de-escalate severe mental health crises at select libraries experiencing a high number of incidents. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the pilot was halted.   

This pilot iteration is the result of the 2024 motion by Supervisors Mitchell and Hahn that called for a plan from the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to enable County Libraries to Better  Serve their Unhoused Patrons. It re-establishes and expands access to on-site staff that consists of one master’s level clinician and a paraprofessional (Medical Case Workers or Community Health Workers) from the DMH Interim Housing Outreach Program. The on-site teams will have dedicated office hours that will be publicized.  

“The Department of Mental Health recognizes that public libraries serve as a refuge for many people experiencing homelessness, including those impacted by severe mental illness,” said La Tina Jackson, LCSW, Deputy Director, Countywide Engagement Division, LA County Department of Mental Health. “We look forward to our partnership with LA County libraries to connect patrons with mental health and other social service needs to the resources best suited to their unique needs.”  

Additionally, the motion calls for a quarterly update from DMH and the Library Department on program outcomes to the Board of Supervisors, including the number of patrons served, police diversion success, and potential expansion opportunities. To read the entire motion, click here. 

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, in partnership with the Reimagine LA Coalition, Participatory Budgeting Project, and Tres Lunas Consulting, announced the winning proposals in the 2nd District Community Budget, focused on the Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights communities. This initiative marks the first-ever participatory budgeting process in Los Angeles County, allowing residents from both areas to decide how a total of $1.7 million in funds will be allocated to help improve their communities.

“Our unincorporated communities rely on the county for essential municipal services that directly impact their quality of life. That’s why it was important to pilot our community budget program in these areas. The diverse lived experiences and needs across Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights have shaped every step of this pilot, with direct input from residents in both communities,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District. “I’m excited to see this landmark community budget program move into the implementation stage and watch these ideas turn into tangible results for our residents.”

Over 700 ideas were submitted by constituents in Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights. An advisory committee, composed of 11 residents from both communities, helped select the top eight ideas to be voted on. The Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell allocated $1 million—$500,000 each for Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights. The Reimagine LA Coalition contributed an additional $420,000 to Florence-Firestone and $280,000 to Ladera Heights, based on population size, enabling more projects to be funded.

The final funding allocation resulted in three approved projects for Florence-Firestone and four for Ladera Heights.

Florence-Firestone Winning Proposals:

Nourishing Our Neighborhood: A Green Space Initiative ($250,000): A community initiative to plant more trees and install planters to enhance community health and quality of life through collaboration with residents and nonprofits.

Florence-Firestone is Home ($500,000): A program that will offer cash grants of $500 to support 200-600 residents facing rent increases and financial burdens, with options to renew up to three times.

Connection to Ready to Hire Jobs ($150,000): Connect residents to ready-to-hire jobs with family-sustaining wages through candidate pre-screening, soft skills training, and a potential local job fair. The program will be inclusive of all backgrounds and career stages, with a strong outreach plan for employers.

Ladera Heights Winning Proposals:

Tree & Common Area Improvement Project ($150,000 – $200,000): Beautify common spaces with community signs, climate-specific trees, and landscaping. Support underdeveloped areas by providing drought-tolerant plants, lighting, and outdoor art, requiring a strong community engagement plan.

Active Minds, Healthy Lives Initiative ($100,000-$150,000): Enhance programming at the Yvonne B. Burke Senior and Community Center by promoting digital literacy and physical activity. Digital classes will help seniors connect with family and access online resources.

Digital Literacy Empowerment ($175,000): Establish technology classes at a local community center for all ages. Includes expert-led sessions, certificates, and job placement assistance. The selected organization must ensure access for those in need and provide consistent programming for at least 12 months.

Youth Digital Workforce Development ($200,000-$300,000): Fund nonprofits for a year-long job training initiative, similar to LA County’s Youth at Work program, providing youth aged 14-24 with work experience, training, and support for paid jobs in high-growth industries.

The next phase of the 2nd District Community Budget is now underway. Community Implementation Partners are needed to help turn these community-driven projects into a reality. Organizations interested in implementing these initiatives are encouraged to apply here: https://mitchell.lacounty.gov/cb-2023/#CIPApp. The application deadline is Monday, March 10.

A virtual info session for organizations interested in becoming Community Implementation Partners will be held on Wednesday, February 19, at noon via Zoom. This session will guide organizations through the application process and address any questions. Organizations can register here: https://bit.ly/SD2-CIP-Info.

“I am incredibly excited to see the power of participatory budgeting come to life in the 2nd District. With Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell’s leadership and the Reimagine LA Coalition’s investment, we are making a historic commitment to community-driven decision-making. The Reimagine LA Coalition is proud to contribute an additional $700,000 to this effort, bringing the total to $1.7 million for the Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights communities. This investment ensures that residents have a real say in shaping the resources and solutions that impact their daily lives. This is a major step toward equity, transparency, and true civic engagement,” said Megan Castillo, Reimagine LA Coalition.

“After years of advocating for participatory budgeting at the state and local level, Supervisor Holly Mitchell and her team, the Reimagine LA team, and the communities of Ladera Heights and Florence Firestone finally made this an implemented reality. It is a restorative gift to have $1.7 million equitably redistributed across these two communities of color,” said Diana Zúñiga of Tres Lunas Consulting & RELA. “Everyone involved should be so proud and excited to see how these seven projects bloom in the two neighborhoods.”

For more information on the 2^nd District Community Budget and the winning proposals, visit http://mitchell.lacounty.gov/cb-2023.

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.