Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva thanked his supporters as he heads into the November runoff. He also addresses the reduction of deputies in the city of West Hollywood.
“After four years of relentless attacks on myself and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department, and millions of dollars from wealthy outsiders, we are headed to the runoff in an unfamiliar place – first place.”
With the final ballots still being tallied, Sheriff Villanueva is the clear front runner even after the political establishment’s repeated barrage of personal attacks and misinformation.
“We look forward to speaking with voters about the historic reforms during the Sheriff’s first term including equipping all patrol and custody deputies with body-worn cameras, banning of illegal deputy gangs, as well as record breaking diversity in promotions. The public is also looking for solutions to out of control homelessness, rising violent crime and the failed policies that have allowed debilitating drug usage to go undeterred.”
Sheriff Alex Villanueva will face long time Republican Robert Luna in the general election in a head to head match up. Luna’s tenure as Long Beach police chief was marred in scandal over violations of civil rights, increases in use of force, and unethical impunity for his friends and political allies. Black officers have also come forward to speak about the lack of diversity in the department which results in no Black officers being afforded positions in the command staff.
“We will not let you down, we will continue to reduce crime, give authentic compassionate help to our homeless and continue to speak truth to power – no matter what.”
Finally, he addresses the defunding of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s station despite its uptick in crime.
“From May to 2021 to May 2022, West Hollywood has seen crime jump 137%. The Sheriff’s Department is already under funded and operating at 70% staffing across most stations. This decision will only further put people of our county at risk of theft and violent crimes. This is a reckless decision by the board and those who are out of touch with what our citizens care most about: reducing crime, finding a solution to the homelessness crisis, increasing safety and well being, and restoring West Hollywood and LA county to a destination to live and visit.
LA County expects to certify the June primary election July 1.
