Eunice Hernandez, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, is facing accusations of hypocrisy for advocating police abolition while seeking police protection for herself. She built her reputation as a socialist leader dedicated to dismantling police funding, and she has voted against budgets that support the police department, arguing that the budget of $2.4 billion diverts funds from more pressing community needs.
However, when it came to events she hosted, she enlisted the help of the Los Angeles Police Department, despite recently voting against increasing police presence at city council gatherings.
Documents acquired through public records reveal that Hernandez arranged for police security for the Mexican Independence Celebration at City Hall, which took place on September 13 and was projected to draw about 500 attendees. This event included a reenactment of the historic “El Grito de Dolores” battle cry and various political speeches.
Amid ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the deployment of National Guard troops, the LAPD assigned 13 armed officers to manage the event, resulting in more than 100 hours of overtime costing nearly $134,500.
Despite her vocal opposition to police funding, Hernandez requested police security and communicated directly with law enforcement about event logistics. Even so, her office has not issued comments regarding this apparent contradiction.
This situation is particularly striking considering her opposition to a council contract that would enhance police powers. Just four months after voting against this, she sought police protection for her event using the same funding mechanisms she opposed.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League criticized Hernandez for her inconsistency, stating that while she seeks police security for herself, she has actively voted to diminish resources for the police that would benefit the community at large.
Maria “Lou” Calanche, a former police chief and one of Hernandez’s opponents, labeled her actions as hypocritical, emphasizing that prioritizing personal safety through police protection while defunding them reflects poorly on her leadership.
Residents in neighborhoods Hernandez oversees, like MacArthur Park, have reported worsening safety issues, with increased drug use and crime, transforming once-thriving public spaces into areas of concern. Despite her claims of improvement in public safety and drug crisis management, reports suggest the opposite is true, with visible signs of drug abuse and homelessness lingering in the area.
Hernandez is known for her strong anti-police stance, promoting the idea of replacing traditional policing with community-based solutions. Her administration’s challenges in dealing with crime and public safety suggest a disconnect between her stated ideals and the reality faced by her constituents.
The community frustrations are highlighted by individuals encountering unsafe conditions during visits to local parks, illustrating a growing concern among residents about the current trajectory of public safety in their area.
