Lancaster is the latest city to issue a vote of “No Confidence” against Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón:

The Lancaster City Council voted to pass Resolution No. 21-21 expressing a vote of no confidence in Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon.

The Council’s action was prompted by Gascon’s issuance of numerous special directives and amendments, some of which contradict state laws enacted to prevent and prosecute crime and protect the general public.

Gascon’s directives include Special Directive 20-06 Pretrial Release Policy, which eliminates cash bail for any misdemeanor, non-serious felony, or non-violent felony offense; Special Directive 20-07 Misdemeanor Case Management, which lists numerous misdemeanor charges that will be declined or dismissed before arraignment; and Special Directive 20-08 Sentencing Enhancements/Allegations, which eliminates several sentence enhancements such as the Three Strikes Law.

Through its vote of no confidence, the City Council expressed that DA Gascon’s directives pose a serious threat to the well-being and safety of Los Angeles County and the residents of Lancaster.

“We cannot have a law-abiding city if we don’t have a District Attorney willing to enforce the law,” said Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris. “While there is definitely a major need for criminal justice reform, that isn’t something the DA can simply try to dictate through blanket policies. Right now through DA Gascon’s directives, we are essentially allowing the baby to be thrown out with the bathwater, and we can’t let that continue.”

What was no doubt the tipping point is Gascon’s office dropping the bid for the death penalty against Heather Maxine Barron and her boyfriend, Kareem Ernesto Leiva in the torture and murder of Barron’s 10-year-old son Anthony Avalos. This was a case that rocked the Lancaster community, as well as exposed the failings of the Department of Children and Family Services.

This pushes the number to seven cities that have stood up against D.A. Gascón’s Special Directives:

• Beverly Hills
• Covina
• La Mirada
• Lancaster
• Pico Rivera
• Santa Clarita
• Whittier

Six other cities are holding meetings this week to decide on votes of “No Confidence” against Gascón. These cities include Arcadia, Azusa, Diamond Bar, Manhattan Beach, San Gabriel, and Santa Fe Springs.

The following Cities have placed “No Confidence” resolutions in Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon for meetings the week of May 17^th.

Votes will take place on Monday 5/17 in Azusa, and on Tuesday 5/18 in Arcadia, Diamond Bar and Manhattan Beach.

It is critical the People turn out to support their City Council’s to vote No Confidence in D.A. Gascon’s dangerous directives and fight for the rights of victims and public safety.

Each city is inviting the public to participate during public comment; even if you don’t live in that city. It is that important to the future of public safety in L.A. County.

The Current Report lists all the links to all the city council meetings where the public can Take Action. If you care about public safety and the correct reforms for criminal justice that support, not further violate, the victim, I invite you to participate in one or more of these meetings and make your voices heard.