Posts Tagged :

Vaccinations

Sheriff alex villanueva graphic. portrait of sheriff in tan shirt black tie. Sheriff's uniform, on greeen background with the hall of justice building behind him faded in the back ground.
IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY 1024 249 SIB Staff

IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY

IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY

October 28, 2021

As homicides continued to rise, the Board of Supervisors voted to require all Los Angeles County employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face discipline, up to and including termination. 

The Board’s vaccination mandate is causing a mass exodus within the Department, which is an absolutely absurd result.  I have repeatedly stated the dangers to public safety when 20%-30% of my workforce is no longer available to provide service, and those dangers are quickly becoming a reality.  We are experiencing an increase in unscheduled retirements, worker compensation claims, employees quitting, and a reduction in qualified applicants.  As a result, homicide rates will continue to rise, response times will increase, solve rates will diminish, arrests will decline, patrol services will significantly decline, and patrol stations will close. 

A large part of our workforce who is close to retirement finds it easier to simply retire, than be forced into a decision which should be a personal choice.  Other personnel who were called “heroes” for diligently working in service to the community during the pandemic, while other professions stayed home, have decided to finally get those surgeries they have been putting off for injuries sustained throughout their careers (knees, shoulders, back, etc.). 

This unintended consequence to public safety was predictable.  In the near future, unless something changes, the “defunded” and “de-staffed” Sheriff’s Department will no longer be able to sustain the staffing levels required to maintain public safety at the status quo.

My personnel already wear masks and would submit to routine COVID-19 testing, so termination makes no sense. 

Personally, I am vaccinated and believe the vaccine works, but the choice to receive the vaccine is a personal one, and an individual who served the community tirelessly before there was a vaccine should not now be fired because they made a decision about their own body.

If you have an opinion on this matter, please call the Board of Supervisors and voice it.  With the pandemic diminishing, there is no justification for the Board mandate; it is like putting up the storm windows after the storm has passed. 

Sheriff Alex Villanueva

See my Response letter regarding the matter here.

Voice your concerns with your district supervisor

Name and numbers of the Board of supervisors.
Operation Homebound 1024 949 SIB Staff

Operation Homebound

Operation Homebound

UPDATE: Great News, LASD’s Operation Homebound has resumed!

On January 7, 2021, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva put “Operation Homebound” into motion.  A program designed to vaccinate the most underrepresented, homebound, and underserved disabled residents in our communities, including those experiencing homelessness.

Deputy paramedics preparing vaccines for a home bound resident.

We are administering the Johnson & Johnson (1 shot only) vaccine utilizing our deputy sheriff personnel who are certified paramedics and emergency medical technicians.  LASD is working with local community based organizations like “Integrated Community Collaborative” and “Disability Voices United” to connect with LA County residents most in need, go to their residences, and provide them this life-saving opportunity.

If you fall into this category and need our help, please contact your local Sheriff’s patrol station, or send an email to the Sheriffs Information Bureau at sibmedia24@sheriff33.lasd.org or call (213) 229-1700, to receive more information about #OperationHomebound.

Deputy at a residence performing a welfare check on an elderly person.
A LASD welfare check may save a loved one’s life or provide peace of mind during this pandemic.

Welfare Checks

 Are you concerned about a home bound family member, neighbor or friend who is either elderly or at risk during the face of this pandemic and you live in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction?  We can help you by conducting a welfare check.

A “welfare check” is the term The Sheriff’s Department has for conducting a safety and wellness check of a person if you have not heard from or seen in a reasonable amount of time.  

If you believe a loved one may be at risk or know someone who may not have the resources to get their essential needs such as groceries, medical prescriptions or mental assistance please locate the information for your nearest Sheriff’s Station by visiting https://sheriff33.lasd.org/stations/.  

When you call the station, a dispatcher will enter a call for service and deputies on patrol will drive to your loved ones home and attempt to make contact. 

Examples of high-risk persons include the elderly community or those who suffer from blood disorders, chronic liver disease, compromised immune system, current or recent pregnancy, metabolic disorder, heart disease, lung disease, or neurological conditions. Remember we are all in this together this service has always been provided to the communities we serve, however it is even more vital today. It can save lives and offer peace of mind for the requestor. 

We are all in this together, and LA isn’t LA without all of us. Stay Safer at home, and do your part to flatten the curve. 
For up to date information regarding #COVID19 please visit https://sheriff33.lasd.org/covid19updates/