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Extraído del Informe Consolidado
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Los Angeles County Grand Jury
• 2022-2023
Safety, Sanitation, and Rider Experience
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 25 findings
F1
Page 70
There are not enough law enforcement officers on trains. They are most often on platforms, patrol cars, or in “hot spot” stations.
F2
Page 70
There are not enough Metro TSO officers throughout the system. More TSO officers would give Metro greater control and accountability.
F3
Page 70
Metro’s COC is enforced only by TSOs. Conduct violations such as drinking or doing drugs, vandalism and harassment are cited by Metro riders as among the most troublesome.
F4
Page 70
There is a lack of coordination and communication among the contract security agencies and no standardized method of recording crime statistics.
F5
Page 70
The pilot Transit Ambassador program is a promising new tool in Metro’s multi-layered approach to security and sanitation issues. Its mission is still evolving.
F6
Page 70
Law enforcement agencies involved with Metro have expressed skepticism about the Ambassador program and confusion about their relationship with the Ambassadors.
F7
Page 70
The lack of accurate, timely data inhibits Metro’s ability to deal with the scope of its problems with security and fare evaders.
F8
Page 70
The Transit Watch App is sleek, user friendly, and has real-time information. It is being used by Ambassadors and a small number of riders to report security, sanitation, and other occurrences.
F9
Page 70
Many of the problems associated with the system are linked to riders who are fare evaders. ALL ABOARD: IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? SAFETY, SANITATION AND RIDER EXPERIENCE IN L.A. COUNTY 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
F10
Page 71
The current methods of collecting fares is too lax. The fare gates are an unsecure, easily-evaded point of access to the Metro system.
F11
Page 71
The COC is a lengthy tome that governs almost every aspect of ridership. Most riders do not know the expectations of the code nor how to access it.
F12
Page 71
There are only three restrooms in the entire Metro system.
F13
Page 71
The B (Red) Line has the highest ridership and the most sanitation issues on the platforms and in the cars.
F14
Page 71
Despite efforts to improve sanitation on Metro – including the recent Cleaning Surge – customer surveys show riders find the system dirty, dark, and smelly.
F15
Page 71
Metro does not take trains offline to the tail tracks for spot cleaning during the daily cycle. The B (Red) Line, by virtue of its heavy traffic, would be much improved with more frequent cleaning.
F16
Page 71
The “Cleaned By” pilot program on the Green (C) line uses “cleaned by” sheets posted by the exit doors as a means of enforcing sanitation standards and gives a visual record to staff and riders how often the train is cleaned by Metro staff.
F17
Page 71
Vending is not present at most Metro subway and light rail stations, unlike most other mass transit systems.
F18
Page 71
The pilot, Respect the Ride program focuses Metro resources to reduce crime and improve sanitation in “hot spot” stations.
F19
Page 71
Metro elevators and escalators are often unsanitary and unsafe, particularly when the system is closed for the night.
F20
Page 71
Make Metro Clean Community Service Program participants complete court-mandated community service by removing trash, weeds and graffiti. This program is currently being used at bus stops and stations.
F21
Page 71
The new initiatives at the Westlake/MacArthur Park station – including recorded music and bringing in vendors – are aimed at improving the environment without hiring more staff. ALL ABOARD: IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? SAFETY, SANITATION AND RIDER EXPERIENCE IN L.A. COUNTY 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
F22
Page 220
HACLA’s and LACDA’s Section 8 HCV and EHV programs could be combined into one agency by agreement among the Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles City Council and Mayor, HACLA, and LACDA. Already, numerous cities contract with LACDA to manage Section 8 programs. HOUSING VOUCHERS FOR LOW INCOME AND HOMELESS ANGELENOS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
F23
Page 343
There is a delay in the permitting process of the upkeep, maintenance, repairs and additions of repurposed property.
F24
Page 343
There are 10,000 people with vouchers in the City who have been unable to find housing.
F25
Page 296
5. Probation officers and custody assistants assigned to juvenile facilities have no safety or protective gear available when handling youthful offenders who are acting out or acting up, committing physical assaults or destroying property.
Recommendations 7
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R1Page 43Application • Apply online during specific time period. It may take several years to receive an HCV; sooner for an EHV. Client encouraged to make sure contact information stays current. • P
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R2Page 43Voucher available • Income verification • Criminal Background Check • Social Security card, Birth Certificate • Preferences verified (e.g. Proof of Homelessness) • How many people in household and their supporting documentation • Generally the deadline is 2-3 weeks to submit all documenta- tion requested (emphasis added), or forfeit your Voucher
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R3Page 53Problem Solving. The process of engaging in the proactive and systematic examination of identified problems to develop and evaluate effective responses. Referring back to the Kolts Commission’s 1992 recommendation that the LASD orient around COPS models of policing, the Special Counsel outlined that, “the department should do far more to teach and reinforce the message that all people are to be treated at all times with dignity and respect under a community-oriented policing strategy. The need to impose discipline will diminish as persons are trained and encouraged to deal in a respectful way with all persons. So then will jury verdicts and judgments against the LASD.”60 LASD did not formally adopt COPS in deputy training materials until 1999,61 and during the course of our research, our Committee found the practice had been inconsistently active or utilized. COMPARABLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES Although the LASD is the largest agency of its kind in the country, it is not the only law enforcement agency in the County. LAPD and LBPD have a lot of interaction overlap with the citizens served by the Department. Both city LE agencies have instituted policies clearly outlining LEG policy, have adopted models of constitutional policing and have dynamic community engagement. We believe that it is in the best interest of the LASD to follow suit. Bobb, Merrick J. & Staff (Special Counsel), “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 1st Semiannual Report. Kotlz Report and Implementation. September 1, 1993.” Civil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse. (p. 293-294) https://clearinghouse.net/doc/10910/. Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department History. 2005. http://shq.lasdnews.net/content/captains/LASD_History.pdf (Last Accessed April 3, 2023). SHERIFF’S OPERATIONS: AN EROSION OF TRUST Examining Transparency, Accountability and Community Policing within the LASD 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT • LAPD Gang Policy: Their department’s policy clearly states, “Building and preserving trust between the community and law enforcement is crucial to effectively maintaining Department operations… All Department personnel are prohibited from participating in a law enforcement gang. A violation of this policy shall be grounds for termination.”62 • Office of Constitutional Policing and Policy: Their priority is to assist their personnel by supporting effective, constitutional policing through policies, procedures, analysis, advice, guidance, and other essential information.63 Their primary mission is to develop policies and procedures, analyze and review upcoming local, state and federal legislation and create, promote, and foster cultural competency in policing. LAPD also incorporates Constitutional policing in order to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusivity by enacting a formal, transparent, and progressive policy that safeguards every employee and community members’ rights.64 Additionally, the LAPD webpage outlining its department’s constitutional practices also contain all active consent decrees, controversial incidents and UOF reviews.65 LASD currently does make its UOF incidents public, but our Committee believes it should match LAPD by updating its website to include access to any and all consent decrees, restraining orders, etc. LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT • LBPD Gang Policy: A “Law enforcement gang” means a group of peace officers within a law enforcement agency who may identify themselves by a name, may be associated with an identifying symbol, and engage in a pattern of on-duty behavior that intentionally violates the law or fundamental principles of professional policing [Penal Code §13670 (a)(2)]. To read the LAPD’s policy in full, please refer to
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R4Page 44Issuance • Client Orientation on expectations of the program requirements to remain in good standing. Example, no extra people living with you, report change of income, abide by lease agreement, etc. • Client receives a brief listing of potential Owners who may have available units. It is Client’s responsibility to find a unit. Depending on program there may be Move-In assistance available. • Client receives Request for Tenancy Approval packet, which shows how much rent HACLA will pay per month. This packet is to be given to potential Owner to fill out and submit to Case Worker • Client is given a deadline of how long they have to find a place before Voucher expires. If Client is having a problem securing a rental they should request a Time Extension. • Annual Recertification is explained to Client. • Client is informed that once they secure a place, they agree to remain leased for a period of one year, before they can request to be Ported out to a different PHA.
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R5Page 44Client finds a Landlord • Owner must submit Request for Tenancy Approval packet to Case Worker • A scheduled inspection of property. This is yearly, unless PHA decides it’s only with rent increase request • Owner is informed on Rent Increase request process • Owner is informed of how the program works and registration requirements, if necessary
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R6Page 44Leased Agreement between Client and Owner • Client and Tenant are both encouraged to communicate any issues first with each other. If an issue isn’t resolved they can involve the Case worker; they are encouraged to put everything in writing. HOUSING VOUCHERS FOR LOW INCOME AND HOMELESS ANGELENOS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
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R8Page 44Standards and Procedures (Priority 2) - DHS management ensure written standards and procedures adequately guide supervisors and staff in the performance of their duties for all ORCHID processes. Recommendation Status: Partially Implemented - LACA-C confirmed DHS management established written standards and procedures to adequately guide supervisors and staff in the performance of their duties over the following processes: -Medical coding of patient services, including management monitoring of coding controls (Noted in Issue No. 7). -Monitoring of disaster recovery and business continuity services. However, DHS has not developed written standards and procedures over the following processes: -Management monitoring of privileged user activity reviews for DHS employees with high-level capabilities in ORCHID. - Maintenance of the medical code dictionary. The Department plans to fully implement this recommendation by July 1, 2023. Further communications with the Auditor's Office and a review of the April 4, 2023 interim audit report summarized above11 indicate that the problem is being resolved. That report indicates that, of the eight (8) outstanding recommendations proposed in conjunction with their March 19, 2021, Department of Health Services-ORCHID Review, two (2) have 11 April 4, 2023, Los Angeles County Auditor Controller Report: Department Of Public Health – ORCHID Review (Report #K19FZ - First Follow-Up Review) https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/auditor/audit_ reports/1139699_2023-04-04DHS-OnlineReal-TimeCentralizedHealthInformationDatabaseSystemReview- FirstFollow-UpReview.pdf 7 MEDI-CAL REIMBURSEMENT THE FINAL RESOLUTION OF AN ONGOING ISSUE 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY been fully implemented and six (6) were partially implemented. All were due to be fully implemented no later than September 30, 2023.12
Conclusions 7
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CL1Navigate successfully the complexities of life
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CL2Develop fulfilling relationships
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CL3Utilize appropriate coping mechanisms to achieve well-being without discrimination
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CL4Realize their potential
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CL5Have their needs met
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CL6Develop skills that help them navigate the different environments they inhabit93 91 Interview with DMH staff, September 19, 2022. 92 Youth.org, Mental Health https://youth.gov/youth-topics/youth-mental-health. Last accessed April 5, 2023. 93 The Children’s Society, https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/well-being. Last accessed April 6, 2023. 24 AGING OUT: TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY The Committee believes if all the agencies involved in the well-being of children and youth worked together, the number of transitional aged youth who suffer from these social ills would decrease.
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CL7Throughout this investigation, the committee found a bounty of CTE offerings in LA County, although there are numerous factors that have inhibited enrollment. Our hope is that this report provides encouragement for schools to pursue this alternate and valuable path. Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost 75 Ibid. 76 Sophie Quinton, Stateline, “States Want More Career And Technical Training, But Struggle To Find Teachers,” PBS News Hour. April 9, 2017. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/states-want-career- technical-training-struggle-find-teachers. 77 Advance CTE, Perkins V supports Recruitment and Retention. https://cte.careertech.org/sites/default/files/files/resources/PerkinsV_Teachers_2021.pdf. Last accessed May 2, 2023. 17 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY -
Commendations 85
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CM1Business, Entrepreneurship & Management
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CM2Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
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CM3Health, Wellness & Public Safety
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CM4People, Power & Perspectives
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CM5Visual & Performing Arts
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CM6Industrial Technology and Aviation Los Angeles Trade Technical College Founded in 1925, Los Angeles Trade-Tech is the oldest of the nine public two-year colleges within their district. Among the CTE courses by LATTC are Advanced Transportation, Construction, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Design and Media Arts, and Health Related Sciences. Long Beach City College Founded in 1927, LBCC provides CTE instruction in forty-eight different career fields ranging from Business Administration to Construction. Highlights include the school’s association with Rivian, which provided about a million dollars in equipment to support the school’s advanced automotive technology curriculum. LBCC in association with the Port of Long Beach, 25 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY was recognized as one of fourteen Maritime Centers of Excellence in the United States. Rio Hondo College Founded in 1960 in Whitter, CA, one of eight community/technical colleges in the U.S. that partners with Tesla Automotive. Tesla’s Student Automotive Technician Program (START) is an intensive training program that teaches the skills necessary for a successful career at Tesla and elsewhere. Certification consists of two tests: Manipulative (hands-on) and Non- Instructive (visible and written). The program is a sixteen-week semester program, with a maximum of sixteen students. Abram Friedman Occupational Center Approved by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare’s Bureau of Higher Education and State of California Department of Education for high school diplomas, work-study participation, and college work-study programs. They are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Approved by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare’s Bureau of Higher Education and State of California Department of Education for high school diplomas, work- study participation, and college work- study programs. They are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Harbor Regional Occupational Center A facility within the division of Adult and Career Education in LAUSD. Programs are offered in forty-seven different subjects including automotive & diesel technology, forklift operations, welding, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) operations and maintenance, medical assisting, and graphic design. The CTE 26 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY program serves adults and concurrently enrolled high school students. Los Angeles Unified School District Has numerous CTE pathways; some of their programs are coordinated with the Los Angeles Community College District. Long Beach Unified School District Has numerous CTE pathways. Some of the programs are coordinated with LBCC. Participation is the student’s choice. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Offers internships to students. Positions Transportation Authority are general office positions. Interns complete projects which are then graded. Los Angeles World Airport In partnership with Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles World Airport offers a HireLAX union apprenticeship program. LA/OC Building and Trades Council Represents forty-eight local unions and district councils. Trains through rigorous apprenticeship programs that produce skills needed for private and public sector construction projects. Chart created by committee. 27 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 3 Construction Wage Rates in LA County Apprentice Journeyman Carpenter Journeyman Roofer Journeyman Plumber Journeyman Plasterer Journeyman Painter Journeyman Electrician Journeyman Fork Lift Operator Journeyman Brick Mason $- $10.00 $20.00 $30.00 $40.00 $50.00 $60.00 $70.00 $80.00 $90.00 Total Wage Base Wage Total Wage per hour (Includes Health and Base Wage per hour Pension) Assumes 172 hours per month To nearest dollar Base Wage Total Wage Journeyman Brick Mason $ 40.00 $ 62.00 Journeyman Fork Lift Operator $ 31.00 $ 56.00 Journeyman Electrician $ 46.00 $ 82.00 Journeyman Painter $ 35.00 $ 51.00 Journeyman Plasterer $ 39.00 $ 63.00 Journeyman Plumber $ 47.00 $ 78.00 Journeyman Roofer $ 37.00 $ 60.00 Journeyman Carpenter $ 38.00 $ 59.00 Information based on data from: Los Angeles County Class and Salary Listing as of January 1, 2023. Salary information just released found at: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/lac/1043266_alpha.pdf. Last accessed April 28, 2023. 28 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 4 Technical Education: Preparing Students for the 21st Century and Beyond 29 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 5 2018-2028 Industry Sector Employment Projections Employment Development Department, Employment Projections. https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/employment-projections.html. Last accessed April 4, 2023. 30 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 6 Salaries of CTE Occupations (current as of March, 2023) Average Average Base Salary Salary per Occupation per Hour Year Information Source https://www.indeed.com/career/automotive- Auto Mechanic $29.41 $69,629 technician/salaries/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career/carpenter/salari Carpenter $26.18 $67,298 es/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. Chef $23.77 $68,792 https://www.indeed.com/career/chef/salaries/Lo s-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career/cosmetologist/s Cosmetologist $24.00 $55,698 alaries/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career/dental- Dental Hygienist $54.03 $111,530 hygienist/salaries/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career/diesel- Diesel Mechanic $50.46 $109,117 mechanic/salaries/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career/drywall- Drywall Hanger $22.13 $44,260 hanger/salaries/Los-Angeles--CA?from=top_sbes- -CA?from=top_sb . Last accessed March 24, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career/electrician/salar Electrician $27.27 $60,253 ies/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career/hvac- HVAC Technician $37.30 $54,713 technician/salaries/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. Licensed Vocational https://www.indeed.com/career/licensed- $33.01 $77,117 vocational-nurse/salaries/Los-Angeles--CA . Last Nurse accessed March 24, 2023. Mason $27.24 $48,834 https://www.indeed.com/career/mason/salaries/ Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. Painter $22.30 $75,133 https://www.indeed.com/career/painter/salaries /Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. Plumber $28.24 $58,960 https://www.indeed.com/career/plumber/salarie s/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career/respiratory- Respiratory Therapist $40.86 $95,274 therapist/salaries/Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. Welder $24.74 $52,665 https://www.indeed.com/career/welder/salaries/ Los-Angeles--CA . Last accessed March 24, 2023. 31 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 7 Glendale Community College Workshop Flyer Flyer obtained from GUSD Peachtree electronic folder, available to GUSD students and parents. 32 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 8 Glendale Unified School District CTE After-School Programs Glendale Unified School District, Career & Technical Education Spring 2023 CTE After-School Programs. https://www.gusd.net/cms/lib/CA01000648/Centricity/ModuleInstance/31286/After%20School%20Final% 20FlyerSpring.pdf. Last accessed April 4, 2023. 33 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 9 Student-to-School Counselor Ratio 2021-2022 American School Counselor Association, Student-to-School-Counselor Ratio 2021-2022. https://schoolcounselor.org/ getmedia/b9d453e7-7c45-4ef7-bf90-16f1f3cbab94/Ratios-21-22-Alpha.pdf Last Accessed April 4, 2023. 34 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 10 (two pages) Salary Tables: CTE Instructors vs. Academic Teachers Table “T” represents salaries of academic teachers with regular certification. Table “L” represents salaries of most CTE teachers.78 https://achieve.lausd.net/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/domain/280/salary%20tables/T_Tab le_Annual.pdf 78 LAUSD interview, November 8, 2022. 35 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY https://achieve.lausd.net/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/domain/280/salary%20tables/L_Table_Annual.p df https://achieve.lausd.net/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/domain/280/salary%20tables/L_Table.pdf 36 CIVIL GRAND JURY COMPENSATION CIVIL GRAND JURY COMPENSATION 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY CIVIL GRAND JURY COMPENSATION SUMMARY Since 2020, interest in the Los Angeles County (County) Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) has diminished. The stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the impact of inflation on the County’s high cost of living directly changed jury operations. In recent years, the CGJ had to utilize every candidate from their alternate rosters to maintain State mandates. The CGJ is a voluntary position. Jurors are required to serve over a twelve-month period (following the fiscal year: July - June each year). The necessary time commitment makes it essentially a full-time job. In the County, CGJ compensation for attendance is currently paid out as a taxable per diem of $60, unchanged since 2007.1 The applicant pool needs to be increased if the County intends to continue to facilitate an exemplary court-appointed, civil monitoring body; one that is necessary for the functioning and success of oversight over County responsibilities. Considering the CGJ’s scope of work and the current expenses of residing in the County, an inquiry into the per diem for Civil Grand jurors is critical to the long-term success of this specialized body. This Committee has considered the following issues regarding CGJ compensation:
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CM7Smaller pool of CGJ applicants
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CM8Increased diversity of race and socio-economic backgrounds for potential applicants
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CM9Impact of turnover on the CGJ membership
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CM10Impact of inflation and local cost of living
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CM11Comparison to Los Angeles City’s minimum wage
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CM12Recent legislative proposals to increase juror compensation To address these issues, this Committee recommends that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) increase the per diem to $100, retroactive to January 1, 2023. The precedence has been set for retroactive pay allowances in recent years. Most notably, the provisions of the COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, which applies to all employers 1 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury Fact Sheet, http://grandjury.co.la.ca.us/pdf/Fact%20Sheet.pdf 1 CIVIL GRAND JURY COMPENSATION 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY in the unincorporated areas of the County, was applied retroactively to January 1, 2021.2
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CM13Overview: How the Property Tax System Works34
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CM14Property Tax Systems35
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CM15What is the Difference between a Board and Hearing Officer Hearing? 36
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CM16Change in Ownership Statement: Death of Real Property Owner37
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CM17Claim for Reassessment Exclusion for Transfer between Parent and Child Occurring on or after February 16, 2021 (instructions page omitted)
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CM18Claim for Transfer of Base Year Value to Replacement Primary Residence for Persons at least Age 55 Years (General Information page omitted)
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CM19Claim for Transfer of Base Year Value to Replacement Primary Residence for Severely Disabled Persons Years (General Information pages omitted)
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CM20Application to Request Property Tax Deferment38
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CM21Assessment Appeals Application Years (Information and Instructions pages omitted) 34 This is not any sort of official document, but it is a simple presentation of the basic roles of the various government agencies in administering the property tax regime. 35 This is not any sort of official document, but it is a simple presentation of the basic roles of the various government agencies in administering the property tax regime from Assessment Appeals Board Public Education Program. https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0234f496-d2b7-00b6-17a4- b43e949b70a2/2625867f-91f9-41f9-8416- 1832999646c1/Public%20Education%20Seminar%20Presentation.pdf. 36 Assessment Appeals Board website, Pubic Education Program. https://assets-us-01.kc- usercontent.com/0234f496-d2b7-00b6-17a4-b43e949b70a2/2625867f-91f9-41f9-8416- 1832999646c1/Public%20Education%20Seminar%20Presentation.pdf. 37 The Change in Ownership Statement is required whenever an owner of California real property dies. (It may be unnecessary, if real property will pass to a surviving spouse.) If a decedent’s estate is administered under the supervision of the probate court, it will be required in connection with filing a required Inventory and Appraisal. 38 See Refunds, infra, at pp. 8-9 16 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
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CM22Preliminary Change of Ownership Report (PCOR) (Additional Information pages omitted) DOCUMENT SOURCES
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CM23Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 11, The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act (commonly known as Proposition 19)
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CM24Board of Equalization letter No. 2020/06139
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CM25Board of Equalization letter No. 2021/00840
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CM26Board of Equalization letter No. 2021/01941
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CM27December 23, 2020, letter from David Yeung, Deputy Director, Property Tax Department, Board of Equalization, to Thomas L. Sheehy
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CM2842Los Angeles County Assessment Practices Survey, Board of Equalization, September, 202243
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CM29Overview: How the Property Tax System Works
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CM30Pros and Cons of California’s Prop 19, by Toby Mathis44
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CM31Proposition 19, The Home Protection for Seniors, Severely Disabled, Families, and Victims of Wildfire or Natural Disasters Act, December 2020 analysis of BOE and CAA issues raised
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CM32Senate Rules Committee, SB 989, Office of Senate Floor Analyses45
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CM33Special Bulletin, “Proposition 19: Why the Delay?” by Assessor Jeff Prang, January 10, 202246
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CM34Statutes of 2022, Chapter 71247 39 Accessible at https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/lta20061.pdf 40 Accessible at https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/lta21008.pdf 41 Accessible at https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/lta21019.pdf 42 Accessible at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/sen/sb_0951- 1000/sb_989_bill_19991010_chaptered.html 43 https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/pdf/19apsr0922.pdf 44 Accessible at https://andersonadvisors.com/prop-19/ 45 Accessible at file:///C:/Users/Civil%20Grand%20Jury/Downloads/202120220SB989_Senate%20Floor%20Analyses%20 (2).pdf 46 https://mailchi.mp/assessor/your-city-numbers-1285054?e=51d26c191b 47 Chaptered by Secretary of State on September 28, 2022. Chapter 712, Statutes of 2022. (accessible at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/99-00/bill/sen/sb_0951-1000/sb_989_bill_19991010_chaptered.html) 17 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY WEBSITES
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CM35Board of Equalization 48
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CM36California County Assessors’ Association 49
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CM37International Association of Assessing Officers 50
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CM38Kern County Assessor-Recorder 51
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CM39Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board 52
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CM40Los Angeles County Assessor 53
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CM41Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller 54
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CM42Los Angeles County Treasurer-Tax Collector 55
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CM43National Association of Counties 56
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CM44Orange County Assessor 57
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CM45Riverside County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder 58
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CM46San Bernardino County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder 59
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CM47Ventura County Assessor 60 COMMITTEE MEMBERS Norman H. Green Chairperson Margaret Chapman Co-Chairperson Patricia A. Estrada Secretary Sam Dodds Shirley Zaragoza Foreperson 48 https://www.boe.ca.gov/ (accessed December 28, 2022) 49 https://www.calassessor.org/ (accessed December 28, 2022) 50 https://www.iaao.org/ (accessed October 7, 2022) 51 https://www.kerncounty.com/government/departments/assessor-recorder (accessed October 14, 2022) 52 https://lacaab.lacounty.gov/Home.aspx; op. cit. (accessed January 3, 2023) 53https://assessor.lacounty.gov/ (accessed October 26, 2022) 54 https://auditor.lacounty.gov/ (accessed November 14, 2022) 55 https://ttc.lacounty.gov/ (accessed October 28, 2022) 56 https://www.naco.org/ (accessed December 28, 2022) 57 https://www.ocassessor.gov/ (accessed October 7, 2022) 58 https://www.rivcoacr.org/(accessed October 14, 2022) 59 https://arc.sbcounty.gov/ (accessed October 7, 2022) 60 https://assessor.countyofventura.org/(accessed October 14, 2022) 18 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 19 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 20 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 21 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 22 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 23 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 24 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 25 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 26 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 27 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 28 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 29 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 1 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 2 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 3 PROPOSITION 19 IMPLEMENTATION AND RELATED MATTERS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 4 SHERIFF’S OPERATIONS Examining Transparency, Accountability and Community Policing within the LA County Sheriff’s Department SHERIFF’S OPERATIONS: AN EROSION OF TRUST Examining Transparency, Accountability and Community Policing within the LASD 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY SHERIFF’S OPERATIONS: AN EROSION OF TRUST Examining Transparency, Accountability and Community Policing within the LASD SUMMARY The Los Angeles County (County) Sheriff’s Department (LASD/Department) has been in the throes of an existential crisis. Unlawful “law enforcement gangs” (LEGs/Deputy Gangs) are operating freely within certain stations and jails; there have been numerous excessive use of force (UOF) incidents which have resulted in multi- million dollar court settlements; and until the election of a new Sheriff in November, 2022, previous leadership of the Department was considered to have maintained a blatantly uncooperative position against the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and other County leadership entities. When the 2022-2023 Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) convened in July 2022, LASD leadership struggles were at its zenith and the BOS was in the process of exploring options for the removal of the then-Sheriff, Alexandro (Alex) Villanueva, including through an amendment to the County charter that would allow the BOS to remove the Sheriff for cause by a four-fifths vote.1 Villanueva disagreed with this amendment to the County’s charter and instead, reiterated the appropriate ways that could lead to the removal of someone in his position: (1) an election of a new Sheriff (2) an election recall, (3) an investigation conducted by the civil grand jury, or (4) under the authority of the California state District Attorney.2 Most drastically, on August 2, 2022, the BOS voted 4-1 to adopt an ordinance3 for a special election to be held for the purpose of voting on what became Ballot Measure A, which allowed the BOS authority to remove an elected Sheriff for cause.4 1 Los Angeles County BOS, “Motion 2004,” July 12, 2022. https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/170713.pdf. 2 Alex Villanueva, “Response to Agenda Item #12-Promoting Accountability and Community Safety through Checks and Balances of the Los Angeles County Sheriff,” July 11, 2022. Letter. https://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp- content/uploads/2022/07/Transparency_Response_Letter_BOS_Removal_Motion.pdf. 3 NOTE: Documentation not available at printing of agenda (lacounty.gov). 4Ballotpedia, Los Angeles County, “Measure A, Removal of Sheriff for Cause Amendment,” November 2022. https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/sop/1128650_080222.pdf#search=%22sheriff%20removal%22 1 SHERIFF’S OPERATIONS: AN EROSION OF TRUST Examining Transparency, Accountability and Community Policing within the LASD 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY During this time the office of the Sheriff was up for reelection, which had the potential to unseat Villanueva in the simplest terms. He was running against the former chief of the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), Robert Luna, an avowed law enforcement (LE) reformer committed to transparency and accountability. Luna had an impressive record for cooperation and stability while leading safety and security operations for the second largest city in the County. Luna’s campaign concerns ran counter to Villanueva’s as well as the way LASD was being run at the time. After the November 8th election, results showed a desire for change and accountability being the most important issue for voters regarding the LASD. Measure A passed with 71.84% and the Sheriff’s race elected Robert Luna with 61.26% of all votes.5 In this landscape of political turmoil and public outcry over the operations of LASD, the CGJ's Sheriff's Operations Committee (Committee) began its investigation. Even as the LASD on-boards new leadership, the larger problems remain. The Committee inquired into aspects including transparency practices and especially focusing on the eradication of LEGs; recommitting strong partnerships with LASD’s oversight monitoring bodies and strengthening Department accountability; and avenues to restore public trust by empowering collaboration between the Department’s personnel and the County’s communities. If LASD does not implement major, systemic changes to Department culture and operations, their effectiveness as an LE agency will suffer. In this investigative report, we the Committee focus on redefining procedural language regarding deputy decorum and involvement in illegal gangs, the protocol for officer involved shootings and how the Department can position itself as a community leader moving forward. All of this can help contribute to LASD’s restoration of greater transparency, accountability and trust.
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CM48AB 32 (2006): 2020 target and calls for a Scoping Plan and updates at least every 5 years
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CM49SB 32 (2016): 2030 target
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CM50SB 1383 (2016): Short-lived climate pollutant targets for 2030
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CM51New 2022 legislation informing the Scoping Plan:
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CM52AB 1279: 2045 carbon neutrality target , anthropogenic emissions to be reduced by 85% by 2045
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CM53SB 905: Establishes a Carbon Capture, Removal, Utilization and Storage Program
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CM54SB 846: Extends the Diablo Canyon Power Plant’s sunset date
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CM55SB 1020: Establishes interim clean electricity targets
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CM56SB 1137: Oil and gas setbacks of 3,200 feet
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CM57SB 1075: Requires CARB to prepare an evaluation of the role of hydrogen in California
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CM58AB 1757: Requires setting of natural and working lands targets and tracking progress
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CM59AB 2251: Sets a target for increasing urban tree cover by 10% by 2035
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CM60Executive Order N-79-20
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CM61LA City Council File 21-0683 DOCUMENT SOURCES
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CM62[H2] Innovation Experience | SoCalGas, https://www.socalgas.com/sustainability/h2home
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CM63World Energy To Upgrade Sustainable Fuel Refinery | Aerospace News: Aviation International News (ainonline.com), https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2022-04- 25/world-energy-upgrade-sustainable-fuel-refinery
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CM64A Power Plant In El Segundo Will Burn 'Green' Hydrogen. Here's What That Means To Us | LAist Long Beach Container Terminal enters its final lap to go fully green – Daily Breeze, https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/02/10/long-beach-container- terminal-enters-its-final-lap-to-go-fully-green/
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CM65LAist, “A Powerplant in El Segundo Will Burn Green hydrogen. What Does that Mean to Us?” https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/a-power-plant-in- el-segundo-will-burn-green-hydrogen-what-does-that-mean-to- us 20 ZERO EMISSIONS AIR QUALITY MONITORING 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
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CM66https://cleanairactionplan.org/strategies/trucks/
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CM67https://polb.com/environment
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CM68https://cleanairactionplan.org/strategies/cargo-handling- equipment/
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CM69https://cleanairactionplan.org/
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CM70https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/01/04/southland-air-quality- watchdog-sued-over-refinery-air-pollution-rule/
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CM71https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/03/04/honda-unveils-new- power-station-that-reduces-local-pollutants-at-torrance-hq/
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CM72CTA_Strategic Plan Framework_12-19-22_Final.pdf: https://caltransit.org/cta/assets/File/CTA_Strategic%20Plan%20 Framework_12-19-22_Final.pdf
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CM73San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, https://cleanairactionplan.org/
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CM74Los Angeles County About Los Angeles County CAP | Climate Action (lacounty.gov), https://planning.lacounty.gov/site/climate/about-lac-cap/
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CM75State of California California Air Resources Board, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/
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CM76Los Angeles Metro Transit Metro | Bus, Rail, Subway, Bike & Micro in Los Angeles, https://www.metro.net/
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CM77South Coast Air Quality Monitoring District, http://www.aqmd.gov/
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CM78Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | US EPA, https://www.epa.gov/
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CM79Los Angeles County Public Health / Air Pollution Department of Public Health, http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ COMMITTEE MEMBERS Frank Murray Chairperson Wayne Dodds Co-Chairperson Marlene Walker Secretary Shirley Zaragoza 21 STANDING COMMITTEES AD HOC COMMITTEE AD HOC COMMITTEE 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY AD HOC COMMITTEE SUMMARY An internal Ad Hoc Committee (Committee) was created soon after the Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) session began. Several jurors contracted COVID- 19, which resulted in mandatory ten day recess starting the week after the start of our term. The ten days lost proved detrimental for the jury’s total understanding and recognition of the duties and internal procedures expected during service. The Ad Hoc Committee addressed the constant fluctuation in member attendance, and provided supplemental help and training. The Committee was also involved in the formation of task forces to address pressing issues.
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CM80The Committee appreciates the illustration at the beginning of our report, which was drawn by one our jurists. Great job! 28 AGING OUT: TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY ACRONYMS AB 12 Assembly Bill 12 BOS Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Camp(s) Secure Youth Treatment Facility(s) CBOs Community Based Organizations CGJ Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury CHC Covenant House California Committee Aging Out Committee CSW Case Social Worker DCFS Department of Children and Family Services DMH Department of Mental Health DPO Deputy Probation Officer DSO(s) Detention Service Officer(s) DPSS Department of Public Social Services GED General Education Development IEP Independent Education Plan ILP Independent Living Plan LACOE Los Angeles County Office of Education LAHSA Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority LARRC Los Angeles Risk and Resiliency Check-up MDT Multi-Disciplinary Team Probation Los Angeles County Probation Department RFA Resource Family Approval TPP Transition to Permanent Program TAY(s) Transitional Age Youth(s) TILP Transitional Independent Living Plan COMMITTEE MEMBERS Carolyn Cobb Chairperson James Childress Co-Chairperson Jenalea Smith Secretary Patricia Estrada Michael Padilla LeRoy R. Titus 29 ALL ABOARD! IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? Safety, Sanitation, and Rider Experience in L.A. County ALL ABOARD: IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? SAFETY, SANITATION, AND RIDER EXPERIENCE IN L.A. COUNTY 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY ALL ABOARD! IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? Safety, Sanitation, and Rider Experience in L.A. County SUMMARY Metro Rail is at a crossroads. Ongoing problems with safety and sanitation have led to steep declines in ridership and customer satisfaction, raising doubts about the ambitious plans and lofty goals for the future of mass transit in Los Angeles County (County). The stakes are high. In the next few years, the County’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates Metro Rail, needs to make decisions that will impact not only mass transit, but the economic and environmental well-being of the County. To address these concerns, the Metro Rail Committee (Committee) of the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) investigated the problems currently afflicting Metro Rail and its plans to tackle them. In our report, we focus on areas essential to success of the rail lines: safety, sanitation, and the customer experience. The area we left alone was the reliability of the trains’ timetables. A clean and safe system is an accessible system for ridership; a safe and reliable ride is comfortable for passengers; a reliable and clean train system makes it easier for people to use; and together, these aspects comprise Metro’s customer experience of the system. (See Exhibit 1). EXHIBIT 1. Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury. 2022. The Venn Diagram of a Satisfactory Metro Rail Experience. Diagram. October 2022. 1 ALL ABOARD: IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? SAFETY, SANITATION AND RIDER EXPERIENCE IN L.A. COUNTY 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY Each of the areas we examined is the subject of heated controversy, both within Metro itself and in the larger community. All have been impacted by outside events, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, social justice movements, growing economic inequality and the rising presence of unhoused persons on the system and throughout our communities. This Committee has produced recommendations regarding these matters with the intention of helping Metro hook their wheels to the right track and make the system safer, cleaner, and more user-friendly. While these issues continue to simmer, the Metro has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan, which includes the K (Crenshaw) Line, a new subway line along Wilshire Boulevard from Midtown to Westwood, and a new line that will connect to Los Angeles International Airport. Without a safe, clean system and satisfied riders, none of these plans will be successful. We recommend stepping up security by various means, including law enforcement, greater Metro Transit Security presence, and continuing the Ambassador program. We believe that fare enforcement via TAP card use is critically important. Metro has solid cleaning schedules, and we urge they be vigorously executed. Other recommendations are included in our study. Metro must address these pivotal issues now, and that is the aim of this report. As one Metro executive told us, “We are at a precipice. We can either spiral up or down.”1 1 Interview on October 24, 2022. 2 ALL ABOARD: IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? SAFETY, SANITATION AND RIDER EXPERIENCE IN L.A. COUNTY 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY EXHIBIT 2. Metro System Maps. 2022. Metro Rail and Busway. Map. Metro.net. October 2022. https://cdn.beta.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/28101922/2022-metro-rail-busway.pdf 3 ALL ABOARD: IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? SAFETY, SANITATION AND RIDER EXPERIENCE IN L.A. COUNTY 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY EXHIBIT 3. Metro Library and Archive. 2008. LAMTA Car 151. Main St. Station. Last day of San Pedro Line. December 7, 1958. Photograph. Flikr. https://flic.kr/p/5QtuHa
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CM81Metro deserves praise for its attention to train schedules and reliability. Despite myriad problems, the rail system appears to have a handle on its core mission of providing reliable and equitable service. The Transit App used to track rail (as well as the rest of the system in its entirety) provides accurate, up-to-date timetables and is easy to use, interactive and user friendly. The Committee wishes to thank Metro leadership for their cooperation and aid with this report and commend them on their commitment to turning things around at the agency. Currently, Metro is bursting with pilot program initiatives targeting specific issues of concern such as the Ambassador and Respect the Ride programs. There is an environment of creativity and a willingness to tackle issues head-on. Here are some examples. 36 ALL ABOARD: IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? SAFETY, SANITATION AND RIDER EXPERIENCE IN L.A. COUNTY 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY Transit Watch App A quick, easy and anonymous way for riders to report suspicious activity, safety or sanitation issues by text message or phone call. Fare Capping Policy After seeking customer feedback, Metro kept base fares at their current prices and continued free one-way transfers between buses and trains for two hours. Customer Experience Metro’s Customer Experience (CX) team surveys Surveys thousands of riders every year to obtain feedback on everything from cleanliness to security and reliability. Transit Ambassadors Ambassadors’ reporting helps Metro send the right response to address an issue, such as crisis intervention teams, security, law enforcement or cleaning crews. Public Safety Advisory PSAC is made up of riders, community members Committee (PSAC) and experts who give Metro input on ways to improve public safety on the system. Mental Health Teams Metro has an agreement for DMH to provide comprehensive crisis response services to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Unhoused Service Metro’s joint development policy encourages affordable Initiatives housing built by developers on Metro property (often left over from transit construction projects). Crenshaw’s K Line Metro’s newest eight and a half mile, $2 billion light rail opening line, also known as the Crenshaw/LAX Line. By 2024, the K Line will connect to the new LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, the new Aviation/Century Station and the Metro C Line (Green). Fare-based Discount The Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) program provides Initiatives offers discounts on select passes or twenty free rides for low-income riders; the GoPass program provides unlimited free transit rides to K-12 and community college students. Metro Micro Rideshare Metro’s new on-demand rideshare service using small vehicles for short local trips. SoFi Stadium Free The shuttle operates between the Hawthorne/Lennox Shuttle Station and SoFi Stadium during SoFi’s pre-, regular-, and post-season NFL games. Music and Metro is experimenting with playing recorded classical Environmental Security music in some stations. The idea is to create an atmosphere that is comfortable for spending short amounts of time transiting through a station, but not conducive to hours-long loitering. 37 ALL ABOARD: IS METRO RAIL ON TRACK? SAFETY, SANITATION AND RIDER EXPERIENCE IN L.A. COUNTY 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY ACRONYMS COC Metro Code of Conduct CX Customer Experience DMH Department of Mental Health LACTC Los Angeles County Transportation Commission LAPD Los Angeles Police Department LASD Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department LAX Los Angeles Airport LBPD Long Beach Police Department LIFE Low Income Fare is Easy MET Mental Evaluation Team MEU Mental Evaluation Unit MTA Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority OIG Metro Office of the Inspector General PATH Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness RTD Southern California Rapid Transit District TAP Transit Access Pass (Fare Card) TSO Metro Transit Security Officer COMMITTEE MEMBERS Richard Nordwind Chairperson Leslie Flores Co-Chairperson Carina Lister Secretary Michele Ashamalla Alice Beener James Bukowski 38 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY: THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost SUMMARY This report investigated the road less traveled through the complex pathways within our current educational system, focusing on Career Technical Education (CTE). Robust CTE programs, formerly called vocational education, exist at community colleges, occupational centers, and at the high school level. These programs provide a viable alternative to the traditional academic path. This committee examined a variety of these programs and their level of pre-graduation student involvement and found that a number of factors inhibit program enrollment: awareness of opportunities at the high school level and beyond; overextended high school counselors; school district priorities; scheduling issues; and recruitment and retention of certified CTE instructors. The County of Los Angeles (County) and its residents have an obligation to ensure that all young people are aware of the many opportunities for higher learning. Expectations should be that any student, regardless of background or circumstance, graduate from high school, and either complete a college education or have a career skillset that allows them to succeed in life. Not all high schoolers are university-bound, nor should they be expected to be. Students and parents are, now more than ever, able to consider career technical education programs as an alternative 2 CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY The Road Less Traveled 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY to a four-year college or university enrollment. CTE leads to career opportunities in less time and at a lower cost than a four-year college.
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CM82In the course of our investigation, the Committee found that some of the proposed recommendations were actions the Registrar was either already implementing, or considering implementing after more data collection. We commend the Registrar for all continued efforts to improve Los Angeles County elections. LA County is a large and diverse jurisdiction. The 2022 Gubernatorial Election was conducted with few apparent issues. We further commend the Registrar for ensuring efficient and accurate elections. 15 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY ACRONYMS AB California Assembly Bill BMD Ballot Marking Device CVR Conditional Voter Registration ePollbook Electronic Poll Book LA Los Angeles SB California Senate Bill QR Quick Response VBM Vote by Mail VCA Voters Choice Act VSAP Voting Solutions for All People COMMITTEE MEMBERS Wayne Dodds Chairperson Michele Ashamalla Co-Chairperson Deborah Humphrey Secretary 16 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 1 Past Election Voting Statistics (5 Pages) 17 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 18 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 19 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 20 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 2 Election Information (5 Pages) 21 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 22 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 23 ELECTION OPERATIONS 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 24 HAVE WE M.E.T.? Mental Health Evaluation Teams and How They Work HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY HAVE WE M.E.T.? Mental Health Evaluation Teams and How They Work SUMMARY Studies estimate that approximately 20% of all adults in America experience mental illness each year.1 Every year, thousands of people in Los Angeles County (County) end up either homeless, on the streets, or in detention facilities due in large part to the lack of care and treatment facilities and a shortage of mental health personnel willing to work with these populations. Current counts put the number of homeless at approximately 69,000 living within the County.2 Los Angeles County’s resources for mental health services are grossly inadequate across the board. This is especially evident in encounters with law enforcement officers and first responders who are charged with the task of aiding and assisting those suffering from acute mental conditions that give rise to incidents of violence and criminal conduct. These agencies and the associated detention facilities have become de facto mental health providers for the very poor and homeless population. Our Committee finds that mental health problems are a substantial contributor to homelessness and incarceration. This report makes findings and recommendations in an attempt to clarify and provide possible resolutions to these problems by addressing the law enforcement and first responder agencies working in conjunction with mental health professionals. We focus on a range of diverse mental health evaluation teams. These pair law enforcement agencies with qualified mental health workers in an effort to address situations involving mentally ill or impaired citizens. Below we seek to evaluate the effectiveness of the various teams and how they can best be deployed to ease the mental health crisis in our county. 1 Mental Health America. https://www.mhanational.org/issues/2022/mental-health-america-prevalence- data. Accessed March 27, 2023. 2 CGJ Speaker: LA City Councilperson on January 23, 2023. See also: https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=895-lahsa-releases-2022-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count- results; 1 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY
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CM83The committee would like to commend the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office, for outstanding service provided by their MET, RAMP, VMET providers associated with their Mental Evaluation Units. The committee would also like to commend the County of Los Angeles Fire Department for exemplary service provided by the PMRT, CRU, and APRU teams associated with their Mental Health Evaluation Units. The committee would like to commend the Los Angeles Police Department, for excellent service provided by their SMART and CAMP Mental Health Evaluation Units. 21 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY ACRONYMS APRU Advanced Psychiatric Response Units BOS Board of Supervisors CAD Computer Assisted Dispatch System CAMP Case Assessment Management Program DHS Department of Health Services DMH Department of Mental Health DPH Department of Public Health DSH Department of State Hospitals ERT Emergency Response Team EMT Emergency Medical Technician HOT Homeless Outreach Team LACoFD Los Angeles County Fire Department LAFD Los Angeles (City) Fire Department LAPD Los Angeles Police Department LASD Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department LET Law Enforcement Team MET Mental Health Evaluation Team MEU Mental Evaluation Unit MTA-CRU Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority Crisis Response Unit PMRT Psychiatric Mobile Response Team PET Psychiatric Emergency Team PUCC Psychiatric Urgent Care Center RAMP Risk Assessment and Management Program SMART System-wide Mental Assessment Response Team SWAT Special Weapons and Tactics TAD Tele-medics for Additional Diagnosis TTPP Transitional Transport Pilot Program TTV Therapeutic Transport Van VMET Veterans Mental Evaluation Team COMMITTEE MEMBERS Dale LaCasella Chairperson Michele Ashamalla Co-Chairperso Deborah Humphrey Secretary Richard Nordwind Shirley Zaragoza 22 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX “A” DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITALS The Department of State Hospitals (DSH) manages the California state hospital system, which provides mental health services to patients admitted into DSH facilities. The department strives to provide effective treatment in a safe environment and in a fiscally responsible manner. DSH oversees five state hospitals – Atascadero, Coalinga, Metropolitan (in Los Angeles County), Napa and Patton. PATIENT POPULATIONS Incompetent to Stand Trial (Penal Code 1370) Felony defendants found incompetent to stand trial by a court are placed in a state hospital, where the focus of treatment is to stabilize their condition and return them to trial competency so the court may adjudicate their pending charges. Those patients who are determined to be unlikely to regain competency, or those who are not returned to competency before the time limit runs out on how long they may be held for such treatment, are returned to the court to determine future conservatorship status. Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act These patients are treated under a conservatorship agreement. Conservatorships are for severely disabled individuals who represent a danger to themselves or others due to mental illness. They have not been charged with a crime, but are instead referred by local community mental health programs through involuntary civil commitment procedures pursuant to the LPS Act. Those whose psychiatric conditions require a higher level of care and cannot be treated in locked facilities or board-and-care homes are sent to a state hospital for treatment. LPS patients leave state hospitals when their county of residence places them in a different facility, or home with their families, or they have successfully petitioned the court to remove the conservatorship. Offenders with Mental Health Disorders (Penal Code 2962/2972) Parolees who committed one of a specified list of crimes and who were treated for a severe mental disorder connected to their original crime 23 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY can be committed to a state hospital as a condition of parole for a period not to exceed the length of their parole term. If the person still requires treatment at the end of their parole term, they can be civilly committed under P.C. 2972 if it is determined that they are a substantial danger to themselves or others. These persons are commonly known as Mentally Disordered Offenders (MDOs). These commitments last for one year and may be renewed annually by the court. Mentally Ill Prisoners transferred from CDCR (Penal Code 2684) These inmate-patients are transferred from CDCR for inpatient mental health care with the expectation that they will return to a CDCR facility when they will no longer require inpatient treatment. Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (Penal Code 1026) When criminal defendants are found to be not guilty because they were insane at the time of a felony crime, they are either put into outpatient treatment or committed to a state hospital for treatment for a period equal to the maximum sentence on the charges of conviction or until the court determines that their sanity has been restored, whichever occurs first. Their treatment goal is to control violent behaviors and develop socially responsible behavior and independent living skills, while treating their mental illness. ATASCADERO The Department of State Hospitals-Atascadero is a secure forensic hospital located on the Central Coast of California, in San Luis Obispo County. It opened in 1954 and is a psychiatric hospital constructed within a secure perimeter. The majority of the all-male patient population is remanded for treatment by county superior courts or by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions. PATIENT POPULATION: The hospital operates approximately 1,184 beds. The patient population breakdown for DSH-Atascadero as of 11/7/2016 is listed below. The data below includes patients who are not in the facility because of a court appearance or who are at a general acute care hospital to receive other medical treatment. 24 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY Patient Commitments Population % of Total at Facility Incompetent to Stand Trial 269 22% Lanterman Petris Short 8 1% Offenders with Mental Health 574 48% Disorders Mentally Ill CDCR Prisoner 223 19% Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity 12 10% COALINGA The Department of State Hospitals-Coalinga is located at the edge of the Coastal Mountain Range on the western side of Fresno County. Coalinga is halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and sixty miles southwest of Fresno. DSH-Coalinga opened in 2005 and began treating forensically committed patients, mostly of which are sexually violent predators. It is a self-contained psychiatric hospital constructed with a security perimeter. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) provides perimeter security as well as transportation of patients to outside medical services and court proceedings. The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions. PATIENT POPULATION: The hospital operates approximately 1,286 beds. The commitment categories of patients treated at DSH-Coalinga are described below: The patient population breakdown for DSH-Coalinga as of 11/7/2016 is listed below. The data below includes patients who are not in the facility because of a court appearance or who are at a general acute care hospital to receive other medical treatment. Patient Commitments Population % of Total at Facility Lanterman Petris Short 1 0% Offenders with Mental Health Disorders 294 23% Mentally Ill CDCR Prisoner 50 4% Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity 2 0% Sexually Violent Predator 941 73% 25 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY METROPOLITAN Opening in 1916, this state hospital was once a self-sufficient facility with its own farm, dairy and animals. Today, DSH-Metropolitan is located in Norwalk in Los Angeles County. The hospital has an open campus within a security perimeter. Due to community concerns, this facility does not accept patients with criminal history that includes murder, sex crimes, or escape. The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions. PATIENT POPULATION: The hospital operates approximately 826 beds. The commitment categories of patients treated at DSH- Metropolitan are described below: The patient population breakdown for DSH-Metropolitan as of 11/7/2016 is listed below. The data below includes patients who are not in the facility because of a court appearance or who are at a general acute care hospital to receive other medical treatment. Patient Commitments Population % of Total at Facility Incompetent to Stand Trial 310 41% Lanterman Petris Short 295 39% Offenders with Mental Health 38 5% Disorders Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity 114 15% NAPA In 1872, a site was selected and work began for the erection of the 500- bed, four- story, Gothic Hospital building. The Hospital originated in response to overcrowding at Stockton Asylum, the first State Hospital. Napa State Hospital opened on Monday November 15, 1875 and is the oldest State Hospital still in operation. The Hospital was once self- sufficient, with its own dairy and poultry ranches, vegetable gardens, orchards and other farming operations. Treatment programs for developmentally disabled residents were present from October 1968 to August 1987 and from October 1995 to March 2001. The Hospital does not accept voluntary admissions. PATIENT POPULATION: The hospital operates approximately 1,255 beds. The commitment categories of patients treated at DSH-Napa are described below: 26 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY The approximate patient population breakdown for DSH-Napa as of 11/7/2016 is listed below. The data below includes patients who are not in the facility because of a court appearance or who are at a general acute care hospital to receive other medical treatment. Patient Commitments Population % of Total at Facility Incompetent to Stand Trial 383 30% Lanterman Petris Short 216 17% Offenders with Mental Health 78 6% Disorders Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity 590 47% PATTON The Department of State Hospitals-Patton is a forensic psychiatric hospital located in Patton, CA, in San Bernardino County. DSH-Patton was established in 1890 and opened in 1893. DSH-Patton provides treatment to forensically and civilly committed patients within a secure treatment area. The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions. PATIENT POPULATION: The hospital currently operates approximately 1,527 beds. The commitment categories of patients treated at DSH-Patton are described below: The patient population breakdown for DSH-Patton as of 11/7/2016 is listed below. The data below includes patients who are not in the facility because of a court appearance or who are at a general acute care hospital to receive other medical treatment. Patient Commitments Population % of Total at Facility Incompetent to Stand Trial 600 39% Lanterman Petris Short 97 6% Offenders with Mental Health 282 18% Disorders Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity 570 37% Sexually Violent Predator 1 0% 27 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX “B” 28 HAVE WE M.E.T.? MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION TEAMS AND HOW THEY WORK 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 29 HHH Too Few, Too Much, Too Slow HHH TOO FEW, TOO MUCH, TOO SLOW 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY HHH Too Few, Too Much, Too Slow SUMMARY Proposition HHH (HHH) was a $1.2 billion bond measure approved by the City of Los Angeles (City) voters in 2016 to fund the cost of construction of 10,000 units of supportive housing for homeless people over a decade. If judged by its own goals and promises HHH has been a foreseeable failure. It won’t build 10,000 units in 10 years for the $1.2 billion as promised.1 It has or will build over 7,0002 much needed housing units. The units it helped fund are too expensive, too slowly developed, and as a result are too few to meet even a small fraction of the City’s needs.3 Unit prices have steadily increased and every witness interviewed by this Committee expects costs to further increase. This is not sustainable. We can continue to pour ever increasing amounts of money into similar projects and expect similar results or we can try something else. This is even more critical given the passage of United to House LA (ULA)4 and its significantly larger projected in-flow of tax dollars. ULA was approved by the voters in November, 2022. It places a tax of 4% on sales and transfers of real property valued at over $5 million but less than $10 million, and 5.5% for real property valued at $10 million or more. It is projected to raise about $1 billion per year. Now that HHH’s $1.2 billion is completely ear-marked, it’s time to assess how the City can best use these new funds in an efficient manner. The Civil Grand Jury HHH Committee (Committee) investigated several lessons which should have been learned by the City from the experience of HHH. The most significant lesson is that an increase in the number of funding sources negatively impacts project delivery time and this in turn drives prices higher. We found the City cannot control the final project cost and its experience with HHH should have alerted the City of the problem. However, in interview after interview, we found no deep of concern over the final cost nor has any public entity interviewed put forward a plan to confront the issue of cost. We found that project 1 https://controller.lacity.gov/audits/problems-and-progress-of-prop-hhh last accessed 4.19.23 2 https://housing.lacity.org/housing/hhh-progress-dashboard. LAHD HHH Roadmap. Last accessed 4.19.23 3 https://planning.lacity.org/odocument/899d18c9-eb79-4540-b3eb-1d42615394ee/ch1.pdf; $1.2 billion and 5 years later, why has Prop HHH built only a fraction of its promised homeless housing units? (kcrw.com) 4 https://unitedtohousela.com/ (last date accessed 01/24/23) 1 HHH TOO FEW, TOO MUCH, TOO SLOW 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY delivery time may be improved slightly by addressing certain bottlenecks in the City bureaucracy but that project delays and high costs are largely inescapable using a public-financing model. We found that the costs and delay are essentially “baked into the cake” of public financing of projects. The nature of government is slower and more deliberative than private business. The Committee examined a private alternative method of funding Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) construction, one which involves no public funds for construction and could save the City billions. We found that privately funded and constructed 100% PSH projects were currently being constructed in LA in 18 to 24 months and for two- thirds less than the current public model.5 We recommend that the City and LAHD fundamentally change the way they are currently funding PSH.
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CM84We acknowledge and thank the Los Angeles County Economy and Efficiency Commission and CEO Risk Management Branch, which provided invaluable service to the Committee in preparing this report. COMMITTEE MEMBERS James Bukowski Chairperson Dale LaCasella Co-Chairperson Carina Lister Secretary Norman Green Shirley Zaragoza 32 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMET WORKERS COMPENSATION 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 1. WC Claims TPA Administration Allocation Chart 33 LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMET WORKERS COMPENSATION 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY APPENDIX 2. Firefighter Injuries History108 108 Letter of February 17, 2023 from LACoFD management to the Civil Grand Jury. 34 MEDI-CAL REIMBURSEMENT The Final Resolution of an Ongoing Issue MEDI-CAL REIMBURSEMENT THE FINAL RESOLUTION OF AN ONGOING ISSUE 2022-2023 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY MEDI-CAL REIMBURSEMENT The Final Resolution of an Ongoing Issue SUMMARY The Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) opened this inquiry following a presentation to the panel by the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller (LACA-C) in July, 2022. Representatives described how the County of Los Angeles (County) failed to recoup millions of dollars in Medi-Cal insurance reimbursement of expended funds. The situation has been ongoing for almost twenty years, but became particularly egregious during the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020 when the County spent heavily on vaccinations without being reimbursed.1 During the presentation, employees of the LACA-C indicated that substantial progress had been made in resolving issues originally identified in the 2013-2014 CGJ report regarding failures on the part of health department systems governing the recovery of Medi-Cal reimbursements for various treatments and procedures. These problems were caused primarily by the software system and the inability of County employees to use it appropriately. The employee and system errors were costing the County very large sums of money. A follow-up CGJ report in 2014-2015 indicated that progress was being made, thereby reducing, but not eliminating losses. The presentation indicated that some critical problems remained, and that final meetings were to be held in late 2022 to finalize any outstanding issues. Because of the ongoing nature of the problem and financial implications, the CGJ decided to do a further follow-up investigation to see if the matter could be finally resolved.
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CM85The 2022-2023 CGJ commends the Auditor-Controller's Office for its dedicated service in continuing to resolve this issue.