LOS ANGELES – A disconcerting surge in hate crimes, as revealed by the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission’s 2022 Report on Hate Crime, is posing a severe threat to the safety and well-being of minority communities in greater Los Angeles. Released on Nov. 29, the report disclosed alarming statistics, indicating the highest level of reported hate crimes in 21 years.

According to the report, hate crimes surged by 18% in 2022, reaching 929 reported incidents, the highest since 2001. This uptick reflects an ongoing trend, with hate crimes escalating by 143% since 2013, signaling a deeply concerning trajectory for the city.

The press conference, attended by influential figures such as Supervisor Hilda Solis, District Attorney George Gascón, Sheriff Robert Luna, LAPD Assistant Chief Blake Chow, Human Relations Commission President Ilan Davidson, and Executive Director Robin Toma, underscored the gravity of the situation.

Black residents experienced a higher rate of hate crimes, witnessing an increase from 219 to 294 incidents, marking the second-largest number of anti-Black crimes ever reported. Meanwhile, Latino residents faced a rise to 121 incidents, accompanied by the highest rate of violence among all racial/ethnic groups.

The report also highlighted a record-breaking number of anti-transgender crimes, a surge in hate crime violence, and an alarming 41% increase in religion-based crimes, with Jews being the primary target.

One of the most disturbing aspects is the continuous underreporting of hate crimes, as acknowledged by county officials. The LA vs Hate initiative has undoubtedly facilitated more robust reporting, resulting in increased numbers. However, the report emphasized that a substantial number of hate crimes likely go unreported, with nearly half of all violent hate crimes remaining undisclosed to law enforcement, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Concerns Deepen Amidst LAPD’s Historic Shortage

Amidst the rising tide of hate crimes, Los Angeles is grappling with a severe shortage in its police force, the most significant shortfall since the 1990s, according to Mayor Karen Bass. In a recent announcement, Mayor Bass expressed her apprehension about the dwindling numbers in the LAPD, meeting with the newest batch of officer recruits.

“Today L.A. Mayor Karen Bass met with the newest batch of officer recruits. Afterwards, she and Chief Michael Moore talked about how to address the department’s officer shortage,” noted the announcement.

The LAPD’s officer workforce has dwindled to its lowest point since the 1990s, adding another layer of concern to an already precarious situation. The shortage is a multi-faceted challenge, impacting both sworn officers and civilian professional staff, affecting the overall efficiency of the department.

Addressing the shortage, Mayor Bass emphasized the importance of not only recruiting new officers but also improving working conditions, enhancing facilities, and upgrading technology. These measures, she believes, are crucial for making a marked difference in the path forward for a safer Los Angeles.

Navigating the Intersection of Hate Crimes and Police Shortages

The convergence of a historic surge in hate crimes and a substantial shortage in the LAPD poses a complex challenge for Los Angeles. The safety and security of minority communities hang in the balance as the city navigates the intricate dynamics of bias-motivated crimes and law enforcement capabilities.

In response to these challenges, the LA vs Hate initiative emerges as a beacon of hope. Recognizing the limitations of traditional reporting methods and the hesitancy within certain communities to engage with law enforcement, the initiative provides an alternative avenue for reporting hate crimes. The initiative’s comprehensive approach involves community engagement, education, and support services to empower individuals to stand against hate.

As Los Angeles grapples with the daunting task of rebuilding its workforce and addressing the heightened concerns over public safety, city officials, community leaders, and law enforcement agencies must collaborate closely to implement comprehensive strategies. These strategies should not only combat hate crimes but also fortify the city’s resilience against a backdrop of increasing challenges.

In this critical juncture, the urgency of addressing both hate crimes and police shortages cannot be overstated. Los Angeles must rise to the occasion, fostering a community that stands united against intolerance and equipped with the resources needed to ensure the safety and well-being of all its residents. The LA vs Hate initiative, with its focus on community-driven solutions, offers a promising path forward in these challenging times.

The statistics at a glance:

Following two years of double-digit increases, reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County grew 18% from 790 to 929, the second largest number in more than 20 years.  For the past 8 years, hate crimes have been trending upward and since 2013 there has been a 143% increase. 

The report’s significant findings include the following:

• 72% of hate crimes were of a violent nature, the second highest percentage in at least 20 years.
• Racial, sexual orientation and religious hate crimes all grew sharply.  But racism was by far the most common motivation, constituting 57% of all hate crimes. Racist crimes jumped 14%, from 476 to 545. 
• Although they only comprise about 9% of the county’s population, African Americans were again disproportionately targeted and comprised 53% of racial hate crime victims.  While anti-Black crimes climbed, all other major racial and ethnic groups experienced slight increases or declined significantly.
• Anti-Latino/a crimes rose 3% and they again were the second largest group of racial victims.  This was the seventh year in a row that Latino/as experienced the highest rate of violence (93%) of any racial/ethnic group.
• Anti-Asian crimes, which had soared to record highs during the pandemic, declined 25%.  However, the 61 crimes reported were the second largest number in this report’s history.
• Sexual orientation crimes comprised the second largest motivation (18%) and grew 20%.  81% of these crimes targeted gay men.
• Religious crimes spiked 41% and comprised 16% of all hate crimes. Eighty-three percent of these crimes were anti-Jewish.
• There were 44 anti-transgender crimes, the largest number ever documented.  Ninety-one percent of these crimes were violent, a rate much higher than racial, sexual orientation, and religious attacks.
• After skyrocketing 48% the previous year, hate crimes in which anti-immigrant slurs were used continued to climb another 12% from 84 to 94.  This was the largest number ever recorded.  Suspects used anti-immigrant language in 55% of anti-Latino/a crimes and in 25% of anti-Asian offenses.
• Hate crimes committed by gang members remained elevated and comprised 6% of all hate crimes.  74% of these were racially-motivated.
• After declining the previous hear, hate crimes that contained evidence of white supremacist ideology (most often the use of swastikas in vandalism) increased 66% from 97 to 140 crimes.  This was the largest number in 13 years. They comprised 15% of all reported hate crime.  There was evidence of white supremacist belief systems in 38% of all religious hate crimes and 9% of racial crimes.
• Similar to the previous year, the largest number of hate crimes (251) reported in 2022 took place in the Metro Service Planning Area (SPA) Region IV (which stretches from West Hollywood to Boyle Heights) followed by San Fernando Valley SPA Region II (141).  This represents large increases in the number of hate crimes in both regions. However, if one compares the populations of the regions to the numbers of reported hate crimes, the Metro SPA had the highest rate followed by West SPA Region V (which includes part of West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and a number of beach communities). These two regions have had the highest rates for several years in a row.

To view the complete report, including hate crime maps, graphs, and tables, please visit hrc.lacounty.gov. Some hate crime data is limited by the current searchability of the database only for the time period of 2003 to 2022. For specific race/ethnicity data and examples, please click here for anti-Black hate crimes, click here for anti-Latino/a hate crimes, and click here for anti-Asian hate crimes.

VISALIA, Calif. –  Peter Park can safely be categorized as a child prodigy and academic wunderkinder having entered high school at age 13, passing the rigorous California State Bar exam at 17, and just this past week becoming the youngest practicing prosecutor in California at age 18.

On Wednesday, December 6, Tulare County District Attorney, Tim Ward swore Park in. According to the biography furnished by the Office of the Tulare County District Attorney;

In a legal history making moment, Tulare County District Attorney law clerk Peter Park passed the rigorous California bar exam on his first attempt making him the youngest person to ever pass the exam at age 17. According to research, the previous record holder was 18 years old. Park received his test results on November 9 after taking the exam in July.

At the age of 13 in 2019, Park began high school at Oxford Academy in Cypress, CA. Simultaneously, Park enrolled in a four-year juris doctor program at Northwestern California University School of Law utilizing a state bar rule that allows students to apply to law school through the completion of College Level Proficiency Exams (CLEPS).

After graduating high school in 2021 by taking the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE), Park focused on law school and graduated in 2023. Park became a law clerk with the Tulare County District Attorney that August.

“It was not easy, but it was worth it. It required discipline and strategy to pass the Bar, and I made it in the end. I am extremely blessed to have discovered this path, and my hope is that more people will realize that alternative paths exist to becoming an attorney,” Park said. “I aspire to become a prosecutor because I am driven by a moral obligation to uphold liberty, equality, and justice in society. I admire how prosecutors keep our community safe and bring closure to victims.”

Park turned age 18 in late November and was sworn in yesterday in Visalia as one of California’s youngest practicing attorneys and prosecutors.

OXNARD, Calif. – Widespread Red Flag Fire Weather conditions are expected for areas of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties as dry, moderate to strong Santa Ana winds continue into Sunday.

These conditions mean fires can become ignited easily, spread rapidly, & exhibit extreme fire behavior. Report fires to the authorities, and avoid any work that could create a spark. Never park vehicles on dry grasses. Residents near wildland interfaces should be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out.

According to the National Weather Service, the windiest conditions will be felt in Los Angeles and Ventura County valleys on Saturday.

“Expect winds to continue to increase through sunrise to the mid-morning hours, with damaging wind gusts [of up to] sixty miles per hour becoming more widespread,” NWS said. “There will likely be some gusts over seventy miles per hour in the windiest locations of the Los Angeles County mountains, the Santa Susana Mountains, and the western Santa Monica Mountains.” 

As of 5:30 a.m. Saturday, NWS recorded the gustiest winds at the Magic Mountain Truck Trail (65 miles per hour); Boney Mountain (63 miles per hour); Deer Creek Canyon (62 miles per hour) and Cal State San Bernardino (61 miles per hour). 

KTLA reported that video footage shows the blustery winds whipping across the San Fernando Valley, toppling everything from outdoor Christmas decorations to basketball hoops and parking lot signs.

“If fire ignition occurs, conditions may be favorable for extreme fire behavior which would threaten life and property,” weather officials said. 

A High Wind Warning is also in effect for communities in the western San Gabriel Mountains until 3 p.m. Saturday.

The winds will taper off by Sunday evening and into Monday, paving the way for warm temperatures to start the week, NWS said.

By Paulo Murillo | WEST HOLLYWOOD – The City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division has installed a new temporary public artwork, Rebekah Rose’s Peaches and Tea. It is on the ground floor of the West Hollywood Park Five-Story Parking Structure, located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard. This 9’-by-9’ vinyl mural installation is planned to be on display through April 2025.

“This one is for the queens,” said Rebekah Rose in an artist statement. “The gender expansive they/she/hes who are breaking boundaries and busting binaries every day in a society that threatens to erase them. It is a wish for the queer community to enjoy simple pleasures and experience ease everywhere they go. These three queens have chosen each other as family and are enjoying a gay day in the park. They serve up tea and eat peaches in broad daylight, and no one bothers them as they enjoy each other’s company. They represent the joy and love that everyone under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella deserves to experience every day.”

Rebekah Rose is a queer non-binary illustrator, muralist, and trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness teacher. In addition to their work as an artist and as a teacher, they work as the Program Manager for a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization, the Arts for Healing and Justice Network. They have a BFA in illustration from California State University Long Beach. Their artwork centers on issues related to queerness, consent, body image, mental health, and social justice. They firmly believe that the path towards collective liberation is only possible by centering the needs of those most impacted by oppressive systems and actively working on healing the subsequent trauma that gets stored in the body through movement and creative expression.

Previous artworks installed at this location include Travion Payne’s Heteronormative Death of the Golden Child; Mei Xian Qui’s Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom; Yuri Boyko’s The Persona, and Rajab Sayed’s Partition.

The City of West Hollywood’s Arts Division delivers a broad array of arts programs including Art on the Outside (temporary public art), City Poet Laureate, Drag Laureate, Drag Story Hour, Free Theatre in the Parks, Grants, Holiday Programming, Human Rights Speaker Series, Library Exhibits, National Poetry Month, One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, Summer Sounds + Winter Sounds, Urban Art (permanent public art), and WeHo Reads.

For more information about City of West Hollywood arts programming, please visit www.weho.org/arts.

For more information about this artwork, please contact Marcus Mitchell, the City of West Hollywood’s Public Art Administrator, at (323) 848-3122 or at [email protected].

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Paulo Murillo is Editor in Chief and Publisher of WEHO TIMES. He brings over 20 years of experience as a columnist, reporter, and photo journalist.

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The preceding article was previously published by WeHo Times and is republished with permission.

LOS ANGELES – The iconic symbol marking Los Angeles as the entertainment capital of the world marked its 100th birthday on Friday, Dec. 8. Universally recognized across the globe, the sign began its sojourn as a literal billboard sign to advertise an upscale residential real estate development. The sign was first illuminated on Dec. 8, 1923, originally saying “Hollywoodland.”

According to the sign’s official preservation website:

Hollywood, which by now represented not just a city, but also an industry, a lifestyle and, increasingly, an aspiration, was officially crowned when the “Hollywoodland” sign was erected in 1923. Built by Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler as an epic $21,000 billboard for his upscale Hollywoodland real estate development, the Sign soon took on the role of giant marquee for a city that was constantly announcing its own gala premiere.

Dates and debates swirl about when the Hollywoodland Real Estate development – and the massive electric sign that advertised it – actually came into being. But a review of local newspapers from the era (i.e., The Los Angeles Times, Holly Leaves, Los Angeles Record, Los Angeles Examiner and the Hollywood Daily Citizen) clears up any confusion. For instance, a Hollywoodland ad in the Los Angeles Times (June 10, 1923) states that the real estate development launched in late March of that year and that by June, 200 men were employed, 7 miles of road had been cut and 300,000 cubic yards of dirt had been moved.

And while some sources still cite that the Sign was born in 1924, the correct date is indisputably 1923. The earliest found mention of the Sign appeared on December 14, 1923 in a Holly Leaves article about the Mulholland Highway soon to be built, which would extend from “…from the western end of the (Griffith Park) road, under the electric sign of Hollywoodland, around Lake Hollywood and across the dam.”

Just two weeks later another Los Angeles Times article (December 30, 1923) with the headline “Hollywood Electric Sign Reached by Car,” reported on actor Harry Neville’s epic, experimental trip to test whether a motorcar could reach the Sign on the unpaved grade, and whether the car’s brakes would work on the precipitous path down. According to the article, “A motley crowd of hillclimbers, workmen, salesmen and curiosity thrill-seekers …stood by with fear and trembling as the loose dirt began to give way but Neville stuck by the ship…” to make it safely back to the “wide smooth roads of Hollywoodland.”

There has also been debate about whether the Sign was originally erected without lights (with the thousands of bulbs added later). However, historic photos from the Bruce Torrence Hollywood Photograph collection, taken just as the Sign was being erected, show workers carrying parts of the Sign that include the original lights in frames or “troughs.” Bruce Torrence, curator of the photo collection, notes that the shape of the light boxes indicate that these sections were probably part of the letter “A” and possibly the “L.”

Confusion solved: by the end of 1923, the Hollywood Sign was fully erected, a high-profile beacon – lights ablaze – for the fast-growing Los Angeles metropolis.

The “billboard” was massive. Each of the original 13 letters was 30 feet wide and approximately 43 feet tall, constructed of 3×9′ metal squares rigged together by an intricate frame of scaffolding, pipes, wires and telephone poles.

All of this material had to be dragged up precipitous Mt. Lee by laborers on simple dirt paths.

Few know that a giant white dot (35 feet in diameter, with 20-watt lights on the perimeter) was constructed below the Sign to catch the eye. The Sign itself featured 4,000 20-watt bulbs, spaced 8 inches apart.

At night the Sign blinked into the Hollywood night: first “Holly” then “wood” and finally “land,” punctuated by a giant period. The effect was truly spectacular, particularly for pre-Vegas sensibilities.

Originally intended to last just a year and a half, the Sign has endured more than eight decades – and is still going strong.

WARM WISHES FROM THE
CITY OF RIVERSIDE!

Happy Holidays, Riverside! We’re wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with happiness, health, and cherished times with loved ones. Looking ahead to the new year, we are eager to serve you, support you, and to continue to make a meaningful difference in Riverside.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS, SANTA MEET-AND-GREET, ICE-SKATING & MORE!

Join us at the Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa’s Festival of Lights and enjoy millions of holiday lights and holiday-themed décor, all in the heart of Downtown! 

Swing by the North Pole on Main St. to meet Santa and grab your ice skates for the return of our beloved ice-skating rink located near The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the holiday lights and grab treats from a variety of food vendors opened daily from 5 PM – 10 PM.

VIEW MORE ACTIVITIES: LINK

SUPPORT RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORS WITH
LITTLE FREE PANTRY DONATIONS

Help your neighbors in need this holiday season by donating to your local Little Free Pantry. The program provides Riverside families with non-perishable food and personal item donations at one of the many local pantries in a neighborhood near you.  

You can help expand access to food and create a positive impact within our community. Make an even bigger impact by becoming a pantry steward and host today! 

LEARN MORE & APPLY TODAY

CITY OF RIVERSIDE HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE

Celebrating a milestone in financial transparency, the City of Riverside has been honored with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The prestigious award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.  

Accompanied by the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement (AFRA), this achievement highlights our City’s commitment to transparency, high standards, and effectively communicates Riverside’s financial journey.  

LEARN MORE: LINK

PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF
RENEWABLE ENERGY

Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) has secured 125 megawatts of wind-generated energy from a new facility being built in New Mexico. This groundbreaking deal will allow RPU to reach the 2030 statewide clean energy mandate with more than three years to spare. The power purchase and sale agreement will boost RPU’s renewable energy resources from 45.4% to nearly 70% when the project comes online in March 2026. The agreement reinforces the City’s dedication to clean energy and helps RPU continue to meet and exceed statewide mandates for clean energy. 

LEARN MORE: LINK

ELEVATE YOUR HOLIDAY SAVINGS WITH ENERGY STAR REBATES

Dreaming of new appliances this season? The holidays are ideal for smart home upgrades. That dishwasher or TV on your wish list may qualify for rebates. Take advantage of Riverside Public Utilities Energy Star rebates to reduce your energy bills and enjoy energy-efficient products. Holiday savings are just a click away! 

SAVE MORE TODAY: LINK

SAVE THE DATE

Mark your calendars for an insightful evening with Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson and The Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce for The State of the City Address. The address will highlight this past year’s achievements and share the vision for what 2024 holds. Mayor Lock Dawson will also present the honoree of the Innovation Award, which is given to a group or individual who epitomizes the spirit that helps make Riverside the City of Arts and Innovation. Join us in-person or via live stream on RiversideTV and social media.  

LEARN MORE: LINK

New on the County Channel

One youth’s journey. The Department of Youth Development offers a new path for justice-involved youth through investment in wellbeing and development and focus on young people who have been impacted by structural racism, poverty, and criminalization. Meet Jaazaniah Augustus, a diversion participant who turned his life around to chart a success story.

You can watch more stories like this on Channel 92 or 94 on most cable systems, or anytime here. Catch up on LA County Close-Up here.

In Case You Missed It

CARE Court Launches in LA County

As of December 1, 2023, qualified individuals – such as a family member, spouse, roommate, emergency responder, or licensed medical or mental health professional – will be able to petition the Court for an eligible individual with untreated schizophrenia or other associated psychotic disorders to receive treatment and services to stabilize their symptoms and continue on a path of recovery and well-being.

To seek these services, a family member, clinician or other person files what is known as a CARE Act petition for someone who is in need of help. Filing a petition is free. A judge reviews the petition and determines if the person is eligible for the CARE program. Specific eligibility requirements can be found at www.lacourt.org/care. 

At Your Service

The Los Angeles Veterans Orientation provides newly transitioned service members and those new to Los Angeles with what is needed to be successful in their transition to civilian life – from help navigating resources to expanding their social network. This is a starting point for connections to resources in Los Angles – in a more comfortable environment. The LA/VO promotes peer networking and develops support systems among new veterans of all ages. 

Anyone who has served/is serving, and their family members are welcome to join. Click here to register for this event. 

Out and About

Parks After Dark Winter Wonderland

Parks After Dark returns for the winter season with extended hours and free recreational activities at 31 LA County parks. Bring your family and friends to an LA County Parks location for snow days, sports, exercise classes, dancing, healthy cooking classes, movies in the park, concerts, computer courses, health outreach and social service resource fairs.

For more information and to find an event near you, visit parks.lacounty.gov/winterpad.

Photo Finish

Click here to access more photos of LA County in action.

LOS ANGELES – Southern California gas prices continued downward for a tenth straight week and are now within about 30 cents of their lowest levels of the year, according to the Auto Club’s Weekend Gas Watch. 

The average price for self-serve regular gasoline in California is $4.74, which is 11 cents lower than a week ago. The average national price is $3.20, which is five cents lower than a week ago.

The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $4.85 per gallon, which is 10 cents lower than last week, 39 cents lower than last month, and 10 cents lower than last year. In San Diego, the average price is $4.89, which is nine cents lower than last week, 41 cents lower than last month, and 17 cents more than this time last year.

On the Central Coast, the average price is $4.86, which is 12 cents lower than last week, 38 cents lower than last month, and eight cents more than last year. In Riverside, the average per-gallon price is $4.69, which is eight cents lower than last week, 39 cents lower than last month and six cents higher than a year ago. In Bakersfield, the $4.92 average price is 12 cents lower than last week, 37 cents lower than last month, and 10 cents lower than a year ago today.

“The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday that gasoline stocks dropped over the past week in West Coast refineries, but it remains to be seen how much that will affect pump prices since this is typically the time of year with the lowest gasoline demand,” said Auto Club Spokesperson Doug Shupe.

The Auto Club reminds drivers of the following tips to save money on gas:

• If you use premium unleaded fuel, make sure it is required for your vehicle, not just recommended. The Auto Club’s Automotive Research Center found that vehicles with recommended premium fuel performed safely with regular unleaded gasoline.
• Make sure your tires are properly maintained and inflated to the correct level.
• Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy.
• Avoid “jackrabbit” starts and hard accelerations. These actions greatly increase fuel consumption.
• Slow down and drive the speed limit. Fuel economy peaks around 50 mph on most cars, then drops off as speed increases. Reducing freeway speeds by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by as much as 14%.
• Use cruise control on the highway to help maintain a constant speed and save fuel. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads because you could lose control of the vehicle.
• Minimize your use of air conditioning.
• Avoid extended idling to warm up the engine, even in colder temperatures. It’s unnecessary and wastes fuel.
• Remove unnecessary and heavy items from your car.
• Minimize your use of roof racks and remove special carriers when not in use.
• Download the AAA App to find the cheapest gas prices near you. 

The Weekend Gas Watch monitors the average price of gasoline. As of 9 a.m. on Dec. 7, averages are:

SAN DIEGO – A new member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors was sworn in Tuesday at the County Administration Center.

Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe will represent the Fourth Supervisorial District for the remainder of the current term ending in January 2027.

Supervisor Steppe was sworn in by her father-in-law Cecil Steppe and joined by her husband Steve while reciting her oath. She becomes the county’s first Black woman supervisor.

“We know that today marks a momentous occasion in our county’s history, filled with promise, filled with hope and filled with progress,” Supervisor Steppe said. “As I stand before you, deeply humbled and immensely grateful, l am acutely aware of the weight of responsibility and the honor to be chosen by the people as the first Black woman to serve on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in the history of this county. I am truly honored.”

District 4 voters selected Steppe to fill the vacant board seat during the Nov. 7 special election. She previously served as a council member for the City of San Diego.

“This moment also belongs to every person who dared to dream, who fought against adversity and believed in the possibility of a more inclusive and equitable future for our community,” She said. “I stand on the shoulders of countless individuals who paved the way, breaking barriers and clearing the path for diversity, representation and for change.

Steppe, whose new supervisorial district includes the LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Hillcrest, was endorsed in the special election race by Out California State Senate President Toni Atkins and openly gay Assemblymember Chris Ward who represents the 78th Assembly District which includes the cities of Coronado, Del Mar, Imperial Beach, San Diego and El Cajon.

Steppe was born and raised in San Diego and spent most of her life in District Four. She served on the San Diego City Council, representing over 160,000 San Diegans and was chair of the Budget & Government Efficiency Committee– overseeing the process for the City’s $5.2 billion dollar budget. She’s also on the San Diego City-County Reinvestment Task Force, the board of MTS, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, and the San Diego Housing Authority.

An attorney by trade, Steppe has a deep connection with the San Diego community. She began her education at Pacific View Leadership Elementary. After completing her undergraduate degree at Spelman College, she returned to San Diego to earn her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law.

Before entering elected office, she dedicated her life to public service law. She fought for families to stay in their homes during the foreclosure crisis in the Great Recession, worked at the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties as a Criminal Justice Advocate, and served as a Senior Policy Advisor at the City of San Diego with specific focus in the policy areas of criminal justice reform and public safety, neighborhood revitalization, workforce development, small business development, equal opportunity contracting, and youth services.

District 4 includes the following areas: Alta Vista, Azalea Park, Balboa Park, Bankers Hill, Bay Park, Bay Terraces, Birdland, Broadway Heights, Casa de Oro – Mount Helix, Chollas Creek, Chollas View, City Heights, City of La Mesa, City of Lemon Grove, Civita, Clairemont Mesa, College Area, El Cerrito, Emerald Hills, Encanto, Hillcrest, Kensington-Talmadge, Lincoln Park, Linda Vista, Lomita Village, Mid-City, Middletown, Mission Hills, Mission Valley, Montezuma Mesa-SDSU, Morena, Normal Heights, North Bay Terraces, North Clairemont, North Park, Oak Park, Old Town, Paradise Hills, Portions of Grantville, Portions of Kearny Mesa, Portions of Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, Rolando, Serra Mesa, Skyline, University Heights, Valencia Park, and Webster.

LOS ANGELES – One year after being sworn in to serve as Supervisor for Los Angeles County’s Third District, Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath became the youngest-ever Chair of the Board of Supervisors as she took the gavel Tuesday.

During the Board’s reorganization meeting, Supervisor Kathryn Barger was selected as Board Chair Pro Tempore. 

In her remarks following her becoming Board Chair, Horvath noted:

“In listening to young people, I am clear that the crisis of the moment is homelessness. From the threat of falling into homelessness because of the rising costs of rent and just living, to the reality of being unhoused while trying to go to school, and never being able to recover from the debt that piles up, the pervasiveness of homelessness in our region is a daily attack on our dream for a better future.”

“While homelessness is the crisis of the moment, climate change remains the crisis of our time. No one makes that clearer than our young people, whose commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future is unwavering.”

“But, the most insidious, sinister crisis we face today is the crisis of despair. The rate of suicide is unprecedented, especially among women and girls who face increasingly complicated mental health challenges. Anxiety, depression, and substance use are pervasive.”

 “This is a moment for urgency. This is a moment for impatience. This is a moment for profound change. We must march forward together and take bold steps to bridge generations and create the change that we so urgently need,” she added.

Horvath since her election as a Supervisor she has made it clear that she is on a mission to end homelessness in Los Angeles County. As Third District Supervisor she represents 10 cities and 26 unincorporated communities from West Hollywood to Malibu, Topanga to Chatsworth, and Pacoima to Santa Monica. Her district spans 446.08 square miles and is plagued by homelessness.

There are approximately 69,144 homeless people within the county, and that number is on the rise. 75% of those unhoused individuals do not have any form of permanent housing and are forced to wander from place to place, finding or making shelter wherever they can.

Six out of ten of these unhoused individuals are newly homeless – a reflection of the inequity between rising home prices and stagnant income levels that have left so many in California unable to make ends meet. 

On a mission; Supervisor Horvath tackles homelessness

This past January, [2023] the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency for the homeless crisis. 

“The declaration has allowed us to do two things,” Horvath told The Blade. “First, we were able to accelerate hiring. We learned that in the Department of Mental Health, for example, it can take longer than a year for mental health professionals to be hired into the department. That is completely unacceptable. We need to hire people faster to do this work. 

“Second, we were also able to expedite contracting. We learned from LAHSA that a contract could be touched up to 140 times before it is finally executed, and funding is able to reach service providers. Obviously, that is unacceptable. We are improving our contracting processes.”

Given the new laws attempting to outlaw the existence of the LGBTQ+ community in many Republican-controlled red states across America, young LGBTQ+ people flock to places like Los Angeles with little to no resources to avoid being persecuted for their identities. 

When asked how the she intends to deal with the influx of homeless LGBTQ youth pouring into LGBTQ+ safe havens like Los Angeles, Horvath told the Blade that she is prepared to welcome them with open arms. 

“We tackled this challenge a lot when I was the Mayor of West Hollywood. We saw a lot of people come to West Hollywood for exactly this reason, and we know that that is not unique to West Hollywood. It’s happening throughout Los Angeles County, so we are already providing those services to those who need them. Anyone who comes to our area will be met with support and care.”

In a statement released by her office, Horvath detailed her accomplishments over the past year:

• Introduced the emergency declaration on homelessness, the foundation for expedited results across the County, and appointed herself to LAHSA where she now sits as Chair.  
• Introduced protections for renters as essential homelessness prevention, including extending a 4% cap on rent increases for unincorporated Los Angeles County, along with other actions to strengthen the Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance.  
• Championed environmental action through motions to create a cleaner Santa Monica Bay and to protect our coast from sea level rise and erosion; opened improvements to the Marvin Braude Bike Trail; and today introduced implementation steps for the first comprehensive water plan for the region. 
• Stood for working Angelenos by authoring motions to strengthen hotel worker protections and created an entertainment business interruption fund. She also supported the WGA and SAG/AFTRA strikes. 
• Advanced a more inclusive and just LA County by initiating a Jewish Community Safety Plan; rooted out hate and antisemitism in all its forms; and recognized LA County’s unofficial “gay beach”. 
• Focused on care for system impacted young people and families by authoring a motion regarding Mandated Supporters, and co-authored a motion to create a Prevention framework for LA County.

As the new Chair of the Board of Supervisors, our message is clear:

This is a moment for urgency. This is a moment for impatience. This is a moment for profound change. pic.twitter.com/9qvgA8YmAe

— Lindsey P. Horvath (@LindseyPHorvath) December 5, 2023