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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Los Angeles County Grand Jury • 2019-2020

Results of Investigation Following are the investigative results of the five general areas outlined in the Executive

61 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F19, F20, F22

Findings 20 findings

CENTRAL AREA COMMUNITY POLICE STATION 251 E. 6TH STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90014 This facility is overcrowded in the booking section. The current layout places the arrestees and the arresting officers in the same space, creating a possible unsafe situation. The booking area must have adequate space separating officers and arrestees. This will help eliminate this security issue. Agrees

OLYMPIC COMMUNIY POLICE STATION 1130 S. VERMONT AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90006 The staff could not locate the suicide prevention kit at this facility. All personnel must know where the kit id stored. Facility must have a suicide prevention kit on site and be able to locate it. Disagrees

PACIFIC COMMUNIY STATION 12312 CULVER BLVD. LOS ANGELES, CA 90066 No phone is available for detainee. Install phones for use by detainees. Disagrees

RAMPART COMMUNITY POLICE STATION 1401 W.6th STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90017 The inspection revealed no suicide prevention kit was available for this facility. This station must have a suicide prevention kit on site. Disagrees

WEST L.A. COMMUNITY STATION 1663 BUTLER AVE. LOS ANGELES, CA 90025 Poorly run facility. No. toilet, food or water on site for arrestees. Install toilets. Make food and water available for arrestees. Disagrees

GARDENA POLICE DEPARTMENT 1718 162nd STREET GARDENA, CA 90247 This facility is dated but well maintained. Each holding cell has a small desk and stool attached to the floor so detainee can work in their cells. The department is part of a data-sharing program with other South Bay Police. Replace and secure 12X12 air vents in each cell to improve ventilation. Implemented Continuity 328 Detention NO. STATION/FACILITY FINDINGS

GLENDORA POLICE DEPARTMENT 150 S. GLENDORA AVE. GLENDORA, CA 91741 There are two ways to get to the station from the parking lot: Either a ramp or several steps. The steps do not have reflective tape along the edge and this could be a trip hazard in the afternoon sun. The steps should be adequately marked for safety so they are not a trip hazard. Implemented

HERMOSA BEACH POLICE 540 PIER AVE. HERMOSA BEACH, CA 90254 Facility was unclean with a strong smell of urine in all cells. Disinfect and clean the facility. Disagrees

SOUTH GATE POLICE DEPARTMENT 8620 CALIFORNIA AVE. SOUTH GATE, CA 90208 Concrete floor in walkaways slanted toward the center with drain holes for cleaning purposes. The floors were uneven and cracked. The uneven floor is a trip and fall hazard. Floor area at entrance of jail should have some type of precaution notification to avoid injury. Agrees

F10

EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY POLICE STATION 5019 E. THIRD STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90022 The facility is understaffed. It is very clean but heavily defaced with graffiti. Assign additional custody staff to this station. Paint cells to remove graffiti. Agrees

F11

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SHERIFF’S STATION 23740 W. MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY VALENCIA, CA 91355 New building is expected to be constructed in 2020; but the old facility will continue to be used until such time that the new facility is built. No cameras are on site. Camera should be installed in the holding area for the safety of the sheriff’s deputies, custody officers and arrestees. Partially Agrees

F12

SOUTH LOS ANGELES STATION 1310 W. IMPERIAL HIGHWAY LOS ANGELES, CA 90044 Unclean cells and the toilet was clogged in the detox cell. Report and repair maintenance problems to appropriate agency. Agrees Continuity 329 Detention NO. STATION/FACILITY FINDINGS

F13

WEST HOLLYWOOD STATION 780 N. SAN VICENTE BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069 Facility was not clean. Report and repair maintenance problems to appropriate agency. Agrees

F14

ALHAMBRA COURTHOUSE 150 W. COMMONWEALTH AVE. ALHAMBRA, CA 91801 Custody elevator has not worked for over one year and detainees are escorted alongside guests and staff. Elevator should be repaired. Agrees

F15

BURBANK COURTHOUSE 300 E. OLIVE AVE. BURBANK, CA 91502 Bus exhaust fumes are entering the facility from the dock. This was reported by the 2017-2018 Civil Grand Jury and is still an issue that needs to be addressed. The concern over exhaust fumes entering the building from the bus loading dock should be address for health reasons. Agrees

F16

CLARA SHORTRIDGE FOLTZ CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER 120 W. TEMPLE ST. LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 This facility is non- compliant with issues of sanitation, safety, and maintenance. Report maintenance requirement to appropriate agencies. Agrees

F17

EAST LOS ANGELES COURTHOUSE 4848 E. CIVIL CENTER WAY LOS ANGELES, CA 90022 This facility is clean but heavily defaced with graffiti. The cells in this facility should be painted to remove graffiti. Agrees

F18

GLENDALE COURTHOUSE 600 E. BROADWAY AVE. GLENDALE, CA 91206 The “Sallie Port” is a makeshift arrangement that provides only minimal security for the loading and unloading of arrestees and inmates being transferred to and from the courthouse. Address bus drop-off safety noted. Agrees Continuity 330 Detention NO. STATION/FACILITY FINDINGS

F21

SANTA CLARITA COURTHOUSE 23747 W. VALENCIA BLVD. VALENCIA, CA 91355 We found that the corridor connected to the Judges’ chambers and the jury room is the same corridor used to bring detained into the holding facility. We understand that some of the detainees are charged with felonies. For the safety of everyone using the corridor, the Sheriff’s Department should review the adequacy of the current procedures to move detainees in, out and around the courtrooms. At the very least, cameras should be installed near the building entrance to confirm that it is safe for the deputies, judges and jurors to enter and exit from the courthouse. Agrees 22.1 TORRANCE COURTHOUSE 825 MAPLE AVE. TORRANCE, CA 90503 The facility is understaffed and disorganized. The staff had difficulty locating manuals and safety kits. Instruct deputies on how to properly organize required jail manuals, medical kits, etc. Agrees 22.2 TORRANCE COURTHOUSE 825 MAPLE AVE. TORRANCE, CA 90503 Male arrestees complained of excessive heat in the cells. Deputies explained that poor air circulation contributed to the heat problem. Correct the air circulation problem in the men’s jail.

F23

VAN NUYS COURTHOUSE WEST 14400 ERWIN STREET MALL VAN NUYS, CA 91401 Inmate elevator to courtrooms on upper floors is dangerous due to a very small waiting area on each floor. Increase visibility in the elevator as the doors open by installing convex mirrors at ceiling height in the waiting area in front of the elevators on each floor. For added safety measures, construction should be shatterproof plastic or other material. Agrees

Recommendations 20

R1

Encouraging development of affordable and market-rate housing A decrease in housing supply in Los Angeles County has led to median home prices double that of the rest of the nation, and rents out of reach for many.7 Public policies have not allowed for the building of enough housing to keep up 1 https://losangelesmission.org/homelessness-in-los-angeles-top-concern/ (accessed 6/10/20) 2 https://housingfirsteurope.eu/guide/what-is-housing-first/history-housing-first/ (accessed 4/23/20) 3 See appendix 1, “Homeless Shelter Definitions” 4 https://www.vox.com/cities-and-urbanism/2018/2/23/17011154/sb827-california-housing-crisis (accessed 4/23/20) 5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_housing_shortage (accessed 6/10/20) 6 https://www.citylab.com/perspective/2019/10/neighborhood-gentrification-affordable-housing-california/598135/ (accessed 4/23/20) 7 https://www.kqed.org/news/11666284/5-reasons-californias-housing-costs-are-so-high (accessed 4/23/20) Courtesy of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission 152 Home Sweet Home with the number of people who live here. In turn, this has led to a drastic increase of homelessness in the County.8 The Scarcity Principle of economics tells us that a higher volume of homes would bring down the cost, thus leading to a lower rate of homelessness.9 This investigation will explore possible causes for the housing shortage and offer recommendations.
R2

Preventing homelessness Within the state of California, more than 600,000 people are living from paycheck to paycheck, spending more than 80% of their income on rent.10 A healthcare issue, job loss, or other unforeseen expense, can easily push this population into homelessness. This investigation explores measures taken by government institutions to prevent people from slipping into homelessness.
R3

Providing human necessities to unsheltered homeless Because of the lack of shelter or housing, there continues to be close to 45,000 people living on the streets of the County.11 Many of the unsheltered lack basic hygiene facilities, including restrooms, running water, showers, trash containers and laundry access. Providing these mobile accommodations to homeless encampments would help to meet the basic needs of the unsheltered.12 The Committee investigated what the County is doing to provide these basic needs.
R4

Providing temporary shelters Ultimately, temporary shelters are short-term solutions to a larger problem. However, the currently unsheltered have basic needs right now: a meal, a bed, restroom, shower and laundry. The Committee looked into the many and varied shelter options in the County.
R5

Best practices and innovative building solutions Since 2016, when the City of Los Angeles (City) passed Measure HHH, a bond measure to build 1,000 housing units a year for 10 years, we have seen very few housing units completed. Only one housing complex of 62 units finally opened in 2019, with a total cost of $549,500 per unit.13 Through this investigation, the Committee discovered many innovative and affordable bridge and permanent proposed housing options, plus housing currently available which the County has not implemented. 8 https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Harvard_JCHS_State_of_the_Nations_Housing_2019.pdf (accessed 4/23/20) 9 https://www.csrwire.com/blog/posts/733-the-three-economic-principles-of-sustainability. Scarcity. (accessed 4/23/20) 10 Per Committee interview with UCLA Law Professor, 11/3/19 11 https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=3422-2019-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count-los-angeles-continuum-of-care.pdf (accessed 4/26/20) 12 Per Committee interview with UCLA Law Professor, 2020, 11/3/19 13 https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-01-07/homeless-housing-project-proposition-hhh-bond-measure (accessed 4/26/20) 153 Home Sweet Home The Committee found that this integrated approach—taking care of the people currently on the streets, preventing people from becoming homeless, encouraging housing development policy at both the local and state level, and exploring inexpensive building options to immediately house the homeless—is what is needed to solve this overwhelming problem.
R6

During the MBAB meeting, all funding requests are prioritized, approved, or rejected.
R7

The MBAB presents the prioritized funding requests to the County Board of Supervisors (BOS).
R8

The BOS makes the final judgments.
R9

EMS manages the actual distribution of Measure B funds in accordance with MBAB/BOS approvals. 75 https://dhs.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dhs/ems/measure_B_Advisory_Board_Committee_Janurary 10, 2018_meeting (accessed 6/14/2020) 215
R10

EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY POLICE STATION 5019 E. THIRD STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90022 The facility is understaffed. It is very clean but heavily defaced with graffiti. Assign additional custody staff to this station. Paint cells to remove graffiti. Agrees
R11

SANTA CLARITA VALLEY SHERIFF’S STATION 23740 W. MAGIC MOUNTAIN PKWY VALENCIA, CA 91355 New building is expected to be constructed in 2020; but the old facility will continue to be used until such time that the new facility is built. No cameras are on site. Camera should be installed in the holding area for the safety of the sheriff’s deputies, custody officers and arrestees. Partially Agrees
R12

SOUTH LOS ANGELES STATION 1310 W. IMPERIAL HIGHWAY LOS ANGELES, CA 90044 Unclean cells and the toilet was clogged in the detox cell. Report and repair maintenance problems to appropriate agency. Agrees Continuity 329 Detention NO. STATION/FACILITY
R13

WEST HOLLYWOOD STATION 780 N. SAN VICENTE BLVD. WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90069 Facility was not clean. Report and repair maintenance problems to appropriate agency. Agrees
R14

ALHAMBRA COURTHOUSE 150 W. COMMONWEALTH AVE. ALHAMBRA, CA 91801 Custody elevator has not worked for over one year and detainees are escorted alongside guests and staff. Elevator should be repaired. Agrees
R15

BURBANK COURTHOUSE 300 E. OLIVE AVE. BURBANK, CA 91502 Bus exhaust fumes are entering the facility from the dock. This was reported by the 2017-2018 Civil Grand Jury and is still an issue that needs to be addressed. The concern over exhaust fumes entering the building from the bus loading dock should be address for health reasons. Agrees
R16

CLARA SHORTRIDGE FOLTZ CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER 120 W. TEMPLE ST. LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 This facility is non- compliant with issues of sanitation, safety, and maintenance. Report maintenance requirement to appropriate agencies. Agrees
R17

EAST LOS ANGELES COURTHOUSE 4848 E. CIVIL CENTER WAY LOS ANGELES, CA 90022 This facility is clean but heavily defaced with graffiti. The cells in this facility should be painted to remove graffiti. Agrees
R18

GLENDALE COURTHOUSE 600 E. BROADWAY AVE. GLENDALE, CA 91206 The “Sallie Port” is a makeshift arrangement that provides only minimal security for the loading and unloading of arrestees and inmates being transferred to and from the courthouse. Address bus drop-off safety noted. Agrees Continuity 330 Detention NO. STATION/FACILITY
R21

SANTA CLARITA COURTHOUSE 23747 W. VALENCIA BLVD. VALENCIA, CA 91355 We found that the corridor connected to the Judges’ chambers and the jury room is the same corridor used to bring detained into the holding facility. We understand that some of the detainees are charged with felonies. For the safety of everyone using the corridor, the Sheriff’s Department should review the adequacy of the current procedures to move detainees in, out and around the courtrooms. At the very least, cameras should be installed near the building entrance to confirm that it is safe for the deputies, judges and jurors to enter and exit from the courthouse. Agrees 22.1 TORRANCE COURTHOUSE 825 MAPLE AVE. TORRANCE, CA 90503 The facility is understaffed and disorganized. The staff had difficulty locating manuals and safety kits. Instruct deputies on how to properly organize required jail manuals, medical kits, etc. Agrees 22.2 TORRANCE COURTHOUSE 825 MAPLE AVE. TORRANCE, CA 90503 Male arrestees complained of excessive heat in the cells. Deputies explained that poor air circulation contributed to the heat problem. Correct the air circulation problem in the men’s jail.
R23

VAN NUYS COURTHOUSE WEST 14400 ERWIN STREET MALL VAN NUYS, CA 91401 Inmate elevator to courtrooms on upper floors is dangerous due to a very small waiting area on each floor. Increase visibility in the elevator as the doors open by installing convex mirrors at ceiling height in the waiting area in front of the elevators on each floor. For added safety measures, construction should be shatterproof plastic or other material. Agrees