Resolution - 2021-62RESOLUTION NO. 2021-62
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING AND
AFFIRMING A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN LOS
ANGELES DISTRICT ATTORNEY GEORGE GASCON
BASED ON ISSUED SPECIAL DIRECTIVES AND THEIR
IMPACT ON CRIMINAL FILING PRACTICES AND
PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of West Covina values and places the highest
priority on public safety and protecting its community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that all of the criminal laws and penalties contained
in the California Penal Code serve to deter crime and criminal elements hi the state and the City
of West Covina; and
WHEREAS, on November 3, 2020, George Gascon was elected as the Los Angeles
County District Attorney with 54% of the vote; and
WHEREAS, on December 7, 2020, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon
issued a series of Special Directives to reform criminal prosecutions hi Los Angeles County; and
WHEREAS, the Special Directives include, but are not limited to, the following:
Special Directive 20-07,which declines ordismisses several misdemeanor
charges, including trespassing, disturbing the peace, criminal threats, drug
and paraphernalia possession, being under the influence of a controlled
substance, public intoxication, and resisting arrest.
2. Special Directive 20-08, which eliminates several sentencing
enhancements, including the Three Strikes Law, gang enhancements, and
violations of bail.
3. Special Directive 20-13, which relates to relates to case review criteria,
access to discovery, investigations in claims of wrongful conviction, and
case resolution; and
WHEREAS, some of the Special Directives contradict state laws that were enacted by the
Legislature as well and undermine the deterrent effects of various criminal laws and penalties that
were meant to protect the public, including the residents of the City of West Covina; and
WHEREAS, it is of the utmost importance for the City of West Covina that policies aim
to restructure or amend prosecutorial directives are consistent with state law and issued with
reasonable intent and priority to enhance public safety and protect the general public and victims'
rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of West Covina demands that Los Angeles
District Attorney George Gascon uphold state law and refrain from issuing further Special
Directives that contradict or violate the spirit, letter, or intent of state laws as enacted by the
legislature or cote of the people.
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of West Covina demands that Los Angeles
County District Attorney George Gascon rescind Special Directives 20-07, 20-08, and 20-13,
and review all other directives to ensure that public safety, victims' rights, and the rule of law
are maintained or enhanced.
SECTION 3. By adopting this Resolution, the City Council declares and affirms that theQy
Council of the City of West Covina has no confidence in Los Angeles County District Attorney
George Gascon.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption ofthis Resolution and shad enterthe
same in the book of original resolutions and it shall become effective immediately.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of July, 2021.
i
,.jrff„/
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM ATTEST
Thomas P. Dua e Lisa AIACK
City Attorney Ass' t City Clerk
I, LISA MERRICK, ASSISTANT CITY CLERK of the City of West Covina, California,
do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2021-62 was duly adopted by the City Council
of the City of West Covina, California, at a regular meeting thereof held on the 20th day of July,
2021, by the following vote of the City Council:
AYES:
Castellanos, Diaz, Lopez-Viado,Wu
NOES:
Tabatabai
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
J&&U&
Lisa Sher k
Assistant ity Clerk