Englander E-News: Thoughts on New Health Department, New LAPD Commanding Officer and More

Opposing a New City Health Department

On May 28, I, along with 10 of my 14 Council colleagues, took a formal position against the creation of a new City Health Department. This week, the City Clerk certified a petition that requires the City to establish its own Department of Health. The petition means the City must create its own health department or place the issue before voters in a special election.

I seconded the resolution formally opposing a City Health Department as the services currently provided to residents of the City of Los Angeles by the County Department of Public Health would be difficult and costly to replicate.

The County Department of Public Health receives grants, some of which are available exclusively to counties and supplements the County Department of Public Health budget with their General Fund dollars. Moreover, a City Health Department will waste scarce public resources by requiring governmental duplication.The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce also opposes a City Health Department as it will create confusion and increase costs for local businesses and residents.

While disappointed that the proponents of this misguided idea have forced a costly special election, I refuse to play politics with the health and safety of our residents.

Opposing Mandated Diversions on Misdemeanors

This week, I submitted a resolution to the City Council opposing California State Assembly Bill 994, which would allow judges to offer pre-trial diversion in lieu of jail time for most misdemeanor cases. By requiring cash strapped county superior courts to administer pre-trial diversion programs, AB 994 creates a scenario where pre-trial diversion programs could be employed in nearly all misdemeanor cases in order to conserve judicial resources.

While pre-trial diversion programs are a valid option for district attorneys to employ, they are not appropriate for all types of misdemeanor charges, including cases of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and other serious misdemeanors. Any effort to remove this prosecutorial discretion and mandate that counties offer pre-trial diversion for most misdemeanor charges would pose a threat to public safety.

The Valley Family Festival!

This year's Valley Family Festival at Northridge Park was a fantastic success! This was our second annual Valley Family Festival in Northridge Park. My office as well as the Kiwanis Club of Northridge, the Department of Recreation and Parks and all of the area Neighborhood Councils worked together and put on this great event.

We kicked the festival off on Friday night with a Senior Dance and Dinner. More than three hundred seniors and other community groups came together for a fun night of music and dancing.

The festival had tons of fun activities, including a carnival, entertainment on the main stage, vendors and lots of fantastic gourmet food trucks.

I was especially pleased that this year we expanded to a two day festival and we will continue this great North West San Fernando Valley tradition for years to come. I hope to see you again in 2014 at the next Valley Family Festival.

Council District 12 Welcomes New Patrol Commanding Officer to LAPD Devonshire Division

As Chair of the Public Safety Committee and an LAPD Reserve Officer, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome Captain Daryl Russell as the new patrol commanding officer of LAPD’s Devonshire Division.

Captain Russell has been a member of the LAPD for 33 years and has worked a variety of assignments including uniformed patrol, training, Watch Commander, Patrol Crime Czar, the Area’s Liaison Officer with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and a myriad of specialized units such as the Patrol Adjutant at Foothill Area, Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Foothill Area Bicycle Detail, Complaint Investigator at Internal Affairs Group, Surveillance Agent at Special Operations Section, and Special Events Coordinator at Operations-Central Bureau.

In addition, he coordinated events from small parades to large scale events such as the Grammy Awards, Fiesta Broadway, United States Figure Skating Championships, City of Los Angeles Marathon, and events associated with the Los Angeles Lakers’ championships.

In March 2009, he was promoted to Captain and assigned to his first command at Central Patrol Division.

CD12 Photo Contest

As part of our “Year of Healthy Living,” Councilmember Englander is hosting a District 12 Photo Contest. We are seeking submissions of photographs depicting examples of healthy living. District 12 boasts the most public parks in Los Angeles, providing photographers a wide variety of opportunities to capture examples of a healthy lifestyle. However, healthy living means more than just eating vegetables and exercising. It also means taking care of our community, our environment, our mental health and more. There is a lot of room for creativity in the “Year of Healthy Living” Photo Contest.

After an initial screening process, photos will be posted on our contest Facebook page. Finalists will be determined by how many “likes” your photo gets on the Facebook page and five winners will be chosen by CouncilmemberEnglander. The finalists and winners will have their work proudly displayed at Councilmember Englander’s Community Service Center in Chatsworth.

Click here to visit our CD12 Photo Contest Facebook page.