Nov. 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 11

NOT SO BRIGHT AWARD

NOT SO BRIGHT AWARD Light Bulb Award L.A. Council Candidate Ysabel Juardo says F**K the Police while discussing LAPD budget. By David Zahniser, Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times The candidate running to unseat Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León faced sharp criticism Monday for saying “F**K the police” at a recent meet-and-greet with college students. Ysabel Jurado, running in the Nov. 5 election to represent neighborhoods stretching from downtown to El Sereno and Eagle Rock, used the phrase while fielding a question about police spending — an exchange captured on an audio recording. Jurado’s comment came in response to a questioner who identified himself as a resident of the 14th District. “As someone who myself is pro-abolishment of police, where do you stand on that spectrum?” said the questioner, who also inquired about De León’s use of discretionary funds to pay for police overtime. Jurado responded: “What’s the rap verse? F**K the police, that’s how I see ‘em.” It is unclear who made the recording, which was first reported by the Westside Current. Jurado confirmed to The Times that the remarks were hers and that the exchange took place at Cal State L.A., where she spoke to students last week. In a statement, Jurado downplayed her use of the F-word, saying “it was just a lyric.” However, interim Police Chief Dominic Choi issued his own statement assailing her remarks, saying they diminished “the hard work and dedication of the men and women” of the Los Angeles Police Department. “This divisive language only serves to erode what should be a positive and collaborative relationship between the police and the people we serve,” Choi said, in a rare instance of a police chief wading into an L.A. political campaign. “Every day, the men and women of the LAPD put their lives on the line to keep the people of Los Angeles safe, and I wish more people valued their sacrifice.” The Los Angeles Police Protective League, a union that represents about 8,800 police officers, also weighed in, calling Jurado’s comments “nonsensical.” “Her world view of F**K the police’ conflicts with the hopes and aspirations of residents who want to feel safe in their homes, at their parks and schools and in their neighborhoods,” said the union’s board of directors. The union endorsed De León this month, putting more than 0,000 into efforts to reelect him. De León, in a statement, called Jurado’s comments “disrespectful.” “I stand where I’ve always stood, 100% behind our frontline officers who go out every day risking their lives to protect Angelenos across our city,” he said. Jurado, asked about the recording, went on the offense, saying the city is “on the edge of a financial emergency” that is due, in part, to payouts for police misconduct. 130 The Blues - November ‘24

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