Concerns Raised About Los Angeles’ Readiness for 2028 Olympics Security

Los Angeles’ police chief has expressed doubts about the city’s capability to ensure security for the 2028 Olympics. This concern stems from inadequate staffing and a lack of dedicated funding.

This alarm was sounded during a meeting of the City Council Budget and Finance Committee. LAPD Commissioner Jim McDonnell pointed out the absence of specific funding for police, apart from a shared security pool with other agencies, according to reports.

“LA28 has recognized there’s no dedicated funding for police and other security needs,” McDonnell noted. “While there is a security budget, it doesn’t cover law enforcement.” He further mentioned that the funds that do exist are meant for various agencies involved in the Olympics, primarily allocated for overtime for police officers.

Organizers from the Olympic Special Events Department estimate that about 6,700 officials will be needed across eight venues during the event. In addition, roughly 700 to 800 patrol vehicles are necessary, but there isn’t sufficient funding for these, either.

Concerns have been compounded by the LAPD losing more than 500 employees annually due to attrition, with rising overtime costs expected. Reports suggest that this year alone, the department may log around 1.4 million hours of overtime, creating a deficit of about $16.5 million.

While organizers suggested that federal assistance would help with security, claiming the Games are designated as a national special security event, local police officials rebuffed this assertion as “inaccurate.”

Eunice Hernandez, a member of the Los Angeles City Council and the Democratic Socialist Party of America, also raised questions about whether such a large police presence was truly necessary, asking, “Does everyone need to be in a police car? Can’t we use the school bus?”

Fox News Digital has sought comments from both the LAPD and LA28 on these matters.