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.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (the Board) approved Supervisors Mitchell and Hahn’s motion with amendments presented by Supervisor Horvath to revise the Board’s policymaking process to allow for more public input and transparency. The approved pilot will require Board motions to be presented two weeks in advance of the Board’s Public Hearing meetings at one of the five existing County cluster meetings – that are open to the public and held on Wednesdays – starting January 21, 2025, until August 12, 2025.

“We often hear from constituents about how a motion can be placed on the Board agenda on a Friday and voted on a Tuesday, leaving little time for a thoughtful review or response from the public. With this pilot, we are aiming to use our existing cluster meetings to provide an opportunity for meaningful dialogue with our constituents and county departments that leads to better policy and outcomes for our residents,” said Supervisor Mitchell.

“Our ability to remain nimble is this Board’s greatest asset. If this pilot program serves our goal of making us more responsive to the changing needs of our ten million residents, it’ll have been worth trying it out,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn.

This is a follow-up action to the Board’s October 22, 2024, approval of Supervisors Mitchell and Barger’s motion calling for a report back on the most efficient options for utilizing the County’s existing cluster meeting structure to create a more accessible and community-driven policymaking process. Today’s vote implements scenario 1 from the Executive Office report back and calls for a written assessment of the pilot to determine the possibility of extending it.

The revised process outlined in scenario 1 maintains the Wednesday deadline for the Board to file motions. The Chair of the Board will now consult with the author(s) of the motion to determine which cluster meetings the motion should be presented at prior to the motion reaching the Public Board Meeting for a vote. The five County cluster meetings include (1) Operations, (2) Community Services, (3) Family and Social Services, (4) Health and Mental Health Services, and (5) Public Safety. For information on the County’s cluster meetings, visit https://ceo.lacounty.gov/agendas/

Motions for emergency declarations and routine administrative motions that are time-sensitive, like reward motions used to help bring justice to families, would not be required to go through the cluster process.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. —Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on the fatal shooting of Princeton Nicholas Jones, a 9-year-old resident who was tragically murdered outside his family’s home.

“I am devastated to learn about the murder of Princeton Nicholas Jones, a beloved 9-year-old whose life was brimming with promise and who should still be here today. No parent should have to bear the unimaginable and life altering pain caused by losing a child to a senseless act of violence. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Princeton’s family and our Compton community.”

“A suspect has been apprehended by our LA County Sheriff’s Department. I look forward to a swift outcome that brings justice and accountability. For additional information on the status of this ongoing investigation, contact the Compton Sheriff Station at 310-605-6500.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. —Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on the Passage of LA County Ballot Measure G:

“The voters have spoken, and the nearly split results on ballot Measure G further confirms that our fellow residents care deeply about how their county government shows up for them. While the passage of Ballot Measure G is historic, the valid concerns surrounding it have not gone away. These concerns now demand real and thoughtful solutions. As we transition to implementing Measure G – without a clear plan to cover its costs – I will remain vigilant in doing all we can to protect the county services and jobs that so many of our residents rely on. Thank you to every person who voted and is engaged in the important work of improving the county’s governance structure. Whether you supported or opposed the ballot measure, we owe it to every resident to ensure that the passage of Measure G results in more diverse and effective county representation.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement on the on Metro Bus Hijack Incident:  

“No person using our public transit system should ever have to experience the tragic incident that occurred late last night when a Metro bus was hijacked, and a life was lost as a result of this senseless act of violence. I extend my deepest condolences to the family of the victim. Thanks to the swift and courageous actions of the bus operator, LAPD was able to apprehend the suspect. Thank you to the Metro staff and first responders who are working closely to provide additional information so that there can be accountability once this active investigation is done. Violence of any kind has no place in our transit system. As a Metro Board Director, I am committed to the ongoing work we must do to ensure our transit operators and riders are safe whenever they use Metro buses and trains.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisors Mitchell and Barger’s motion to close a gap in providing transparent and consistent information to voters by directing the Auditor-Controller to include a fiscal impact statement for countywide ballot measures on the official sample ballot. The November 2024 general election will mark the first-time county sample ballots will consist of objective information on the estimated cost of countywide ballot measures. Currently, this information is only provided to voters by the state for statewide ballot measures.

“Transparency is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. LA County will now offer the same baseline information on countywide ballot measures that voters have consistently received for statewide measures before casting their vote,” said Supervisor Holly Mitchell. “The fiscal analysis also strengthens accountability for the implementation of measures, providing awareness on the expected investment we must be prepared to make for the changes voters have called for.”

“I’m pleased we will move forward with offering consistent, objective fiscal information on Countywide ballots so voters can make informed decisions,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “At its heart, this motion is about ensuring voters are equipped with the full picture of what they’re voting upon. The best way to battle the mistrust in government and to support an informed electorate is to offer objective information from neutral sources. Our Auditor Controller is that source for Countywide ballots.”

State Elections Code 9160 requires a financial analysis of statewide measures and allows Counties to direct their local Auditor-Controller to do the same analysis. In LA County, information on the fiscal impact of county ballots is left up to the opponents and proponents of ballot measures. The passage of this motion ensures an objective estimated fiscal impact on the county will be available to voters as well.

The motion requires the fiscal impact statement to be available in multiple languages in the sample ballot. It also takes steps to prepare for future elections by calling for relevant County departments to conduct analysis with insights from community stakeholders to improve the process of providing objective information to voters by adding a Yes/No vote summary.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, in a 3-to-0 vote, approved Chair Lindsey Horvath and Supervisor Janice Hahn’s motion to put forward a charter amendment on the November 2024 ballot – that, if passed by voters – will expand the Board to nine members and create a new countywide elected Executive Officer position. Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who authored a 2023 motion with Chair Horvath for governance reform that passed with unanimous support, calling for an independent review of the County’s governance structure that would include data-informed recommendations on the number to expand the Board abstained from voting and provided the following statement:

“I abstained from voting on the motion to present a charter amendment to the public to expand the Board to nine and to create a countywide elected officer position because these sweeping changes were not thoughtfully presented. What we were asked to vote on today lacked a focus on equity and details to support true governance reform. When I asked about the breadth of outreach that led to this motion being presented, there was no proof of true community engagement that included input from Second District residents or residents from throughout the County. There was no data-informed reason for why the number nine was chosen for board seats versus any other number. We have no assessment of the fiscal feasibility of these changes being implemented and what it would potentially cost the County; an honest assessment to the voters is paramount. Questions on who will be able to serve on the Governance Reform Task Force remain unanswered despite this task force being tasked with ushering in governance reform for the largest County in the nation.”

“There are too many critical unknowns that will only further inequities and undermine the efforts of the County to be truly transparent and accountable to the public. Last year, we unanimously agreed as a Board to take a thoughtful, data-informed approach to improving the County’s governance structure. We decided on an independent entity to recommend not just how many seats should be added to the Board for a public vote but also how the County can improve the process by which it creates policies that impact millions of lives daily. Bypassing this process to rush to the ballot box in November doesn’t solve the root of our governance problems.”

“I welcome an expansion of the Board and changes to how we govern that lead to more openness and input from the public. The pathway to achieving this is in the details. Our communities deserve an intentional charter amendment that isn’t driven by what one or any Supervisor thinks is best but by what truly is best for the greater good of the public.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Supervisor Holly Mitchell provided the following statement in regard to the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson:

“This morning the Supreme Court ruling on Grants Pass unfortunately opens the door to penalize people who are unhoused. The ruling came on the same day that the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) reported a slight decrease in the number of people across the Los Angeles County. LA County is leading with what works – connection to housing and services.

“In less than 12 months, through LA County’s Pathway Home program 629 people have come into housing and 390 recreational vehicles have been removed from our streets. The all-hands on deck across County teams and alignment across jurisdictions is making an impact.”

“In addition to the Pathway Home program, LA County’s Homelessness Initiative in partnership with the LA County Board offices is enhancing the encampment clean-ups. This means shorter response time for clean-ups in unincorporated area communities. Penalizing and criminalizing people for falling into homelessness is not the solution.”

“The County and all our 88 cities must not be distracted and stay aligned on what works. Focused interventions of housing, wrap-around and mental health services, and clean-ups benefit all residents.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Today, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) released the results of its annual count of residents experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County, showing a slight decline for the first time in five years of 0.27% to 75,518 in the City of Los Angeles and 5.1% to 52,365 in Los Angeles County and an 18% increase in permanent housing with 28,000 people experiencing homelessness placed in housing.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who authored the motion calling for a countywide assessment of RV encampments and resolution program as part of Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home Program, provided the following statement:

“This year’s point in time count showed a decline in people experiencing homelessness after many years of increases in LA County and LA City, proving that our unified efforts are working. With the addition of LA County’s Pathway Home, which focuses on people living in encampments, our capacity to bring people home humanely has increased. By providing ongoing outreach and connection to interim and permanent housing with supportive services, we are getting more people to say yes to housing that meets their needs.”

“This is the time to keep our focus on the strategic investments in outreach, mental health services, and affordable housing to make sure this decline becomes more than a slight shift and instead a continuous drop in people experiencing homelessness on our streets.”

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Board Supervisor, Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second District, will host her 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair on Friday, June 21, 2024. This year, the event will take place at Victoria Community Regional Park, located at 419 Martin Luther King Jr. St., Carson, CA 90746, in the evening, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The free event will be emceed by actor and director, William Allen Young and feature County and community resources, empowering discussions, captivating performances, and engaging activities for attendees of all ages.

“I’m thrilled to bring our 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Resource Fair to the City of Carson for the first time! As we strive to grow and extend the impact of this event to reach more communities across Los Angeles County’s 2nd District, it’s critical to me that we ensure every resident can celebrate this important holiday by accessing vital resources and joyful activities. I am excited the over 50 participating organizations and County departments along with all the talented performers that have come together to make this a special event for all to enjoy.” said Supervisor Mitchell.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the date, June 19, 1865, when the news that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed finally reached Galveston Texas, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the law in 1863 abolishing slavery. As a result, over 250,000 enslaved people of African descent were freed throughout Texas. 159 years later, Juneteenth (June 19) continues to be celebrated as a pivotal moment in the ending of slavery in the United States and symbolizes the on-going fight for justice and equality. Now observed as both a County and federal holiday, Juneteenth is celebrated across the country, and is a time for reflection on the progress made toward equality, as well as a reminder of the work that remains.

Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair is a free community event aimed at raising awareness of the historical impact of Juneteenth and serves as a platform to connect residents to vital County and community services, including tenant protections, immigration rights, mental health support, record expungement and more. The event will feature empowering discussions, captivating performances, and engaging activities for attendees of all ages.

For more information and to register for the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair, visit https://mitchell.lacounty.gov/Juneteenth-2024.

Social Media: Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube / Website

Assets:

• 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair Promo Video
• 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair Flyer

Participating Organizations:

• African Communities Public Health Coalition
• Alzheimer’s Association
• Black AIDS Institute
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson
• California African American Genealogical Society, Inc
• California Calls
• California State University, Dominguez Hills
• Carson Football Team
• Children’s Law Center’s Family Support and Advocacy Center
• Community Legal Aid SoCal
• Compton College
• Crystal Stairs, Inc.
• East LA Community Corporation
• Food Access LA
• Greener Ways Associates
• Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
• Independent Living Systems
• Inspire
• LA Clippers
• Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department
• Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender
• Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors
• Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department
• Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control
• Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
• Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity
• Los Angeles County Department of Health Services
• Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources
• Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner
• Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
• Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health – Abundant Birth Project
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Environmental Defenders Program
• Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning
• Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development
• Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Human Resources Division
• Los Angeles County Fire Department Forestry Division
• Los Angeles County Internal Services Department Delete the Divide
• Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department
• Los Angeles County Library
• Los Angeles County Office of Education
• Los Angeles County Public Defender
• Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
• Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector
• Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
• Los Angeles Metro
• Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
• NAMI Urban Los Angeles
• Office of Congresswoman Nanette Barragán
• Office of Senator Steven Bradford
• Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
• S.P.E.A.K. OUT LOUD, INC
• Special Needs Network
• TeleHealth Van
• Tessie Cleveland Community Services
• The TransLatin@ Coaltion
• United Airlines / BEACON BRG
• Water Replenishment District

Additional Event Components:

• DJ
• Live music and dance performances
• Drum circle
• Face painting
• 360 photobooth
• Kids activities
• Food trucks to purchase food