Beverly Hills is the latest city to sign on to a recall effort against Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to support the recall, which was revamped in December. The initial effort failed to garner enough signatures, but a spate of high-profile crimes has given the campaign new life.
Beverly Hills leaders cited increased criminality, including follow-home robberies and retail smash and grabs that have rocked the affluent enclave. Gun stores have reportedly seen a surge in customers from Beverly Hills and other wealthy cities in LA. Those sales spiked after the death of philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, who was killed in a home invasion in Beverly Hills last month.
The Recall Gascón website lists a multitude of reasons for his recall. These include directives that eliminate special enhancement allegations, the dismantling of the Gang Prosecution Division, trying violent repeat 17-year-old offenders as juveniles, encouraging the release of any defendant who has served over 15 years, a directive that bars deputy DAs from attending parole hearings, and an overall dismissive attitude toward victims of crime.
In addition to Beverly Hills, the recall effort is supported by:
- LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva
- Walnut Mayor Eric Ching
- La Miranda City Councilmember Andrew Sarega
- Santa Clarita City Councilmember Jason Gibbs
- Asian Industry Business 2 Business
- Crime Victims United
- Airport POA President Marshall E. McClain
- City of Santa Clarita
- City of Pico Rivera
- City of Lancaster
- City of La Mirada
- City of Whittier
- City of Covina
- City of Rosemead
- City of Santa Fe Springs
- City of Diamond Bar
- City of Redondo Beach
- City of Palos Verdes Estates
- City of Temple City
- City of San Gabriel
- City of La Habra Heights
- City of Norwalk
- City of San Dimas
- City of Torrance
- City of Walnut
- City of West Covina
- City of Rancho Palos Verdes
- Rosemead School District
- Santa Monica Observer
- Santa Clarita Valley Signal
- North Valley Reporter