latimes--2020-09-01--California renters to receive COVID-19 eviction protections under bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom

Gov .
Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature acted Monday to avert a housing crisis by approving legislation to extend protections against evictions by five months for California renters facing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Newsom signed the bill just before midnight , hours after it was approved in two-thirds votes of both houses of the state Legislature on Monday , the last day of this year ’ s session .
“ COVID-19 has impacted everyone in California — but some bear much more of the burden than others , especially tenants struggling to stitch together the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from eviction , ” Newsom said in a statement announcing the signing .
“ This new law protects tenants from eviction for non-payment of rent and helps keep homeowners out of foreclosure as a result of economic hardship caused by this terrible pandemic ” The bill takes effect immediately as previous protections are set to expire at midnight Tuesday .
“ That is why we must act today to establish new protections to get us through the next few months to prevent a wave of mass evictions in the middle of a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sight , ” said Sen. Anna Caballero ( D-Salinas ) on Monday during floor debate on AB 3088 .
Renters will not be evicted through Jan. 31 , 2021 as long as they pay at least 25 % of their rent and file a declaration with their landlord attesting that they are suffering financial hardship because of the pandemic and its related business shutdowns , which have put millions of Californians out of work .
“ Our goal here was to protect tenants so they would not get evicted and to encourage the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure they don ’ t foreclose on properties , ” said Caballero , a coauthor of the bill .
The new law , which takes effect immediately , disappointed many tenant advocates who worry renters will still not be able to pay rent by Feb. 1 , and they will still be on the hook for rent not paid in previous months , with landlords able to go to small claims court to collect .
Brian Augusta of the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation said he supports the bill to head off evictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further protection .
“ We do not see this bill as the solution , and we have a lot more work to do , ” he told senators at a public hearing on Saturday .
The legislation was drafted as a compromise after groups representing landlords warned that previous bills proposing one to three years of full rent waivers would have left many property owners , including small rental investors , without income to pay their mortgages , putting properties at the risk of foreclosure .
The ultimate solution would be for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance that allows them to pay their rent , said Debra Carlton , an executive vice president of the California Apartment Assn.
, which represents landlords .
“ If rent continues to go unpaid , housing providers will either face foreclosures or , if they can , they will sell or convert their properties , ” Carlton told lawmakers during the weekend hearing .
“ That may mean tenants will lose their homes in the end , and these smaller properties have historically been affordable housing .
Losing these units will worsen California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that more financial help is needed from Washington .
“ We need a real , federal commitment of significant new funding to assist struggling tenants and homeowners in California and across the nation , ” the governor said .
In March , Newsom sought to slow the spread of the deadly virus by directing Californians to stay home and not to congregate in public places .
Many businesses were forced to shut their doors or limit operations .
As a result , 11 million people have filed claims for unemployment insurance benefits since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued an executive order briefly banning all renter evictions .
The state Judicial Council later issued a moratorium on courts processing evictions and this month extended it through Sept. 1 , and tenant groups warned the state would face a tidal wave of evictions unless additional action was taken .
“ This is a temporary , stopgap measure , ” Assemblyman David Chiu ( D-San Francisco ) , an author of the bill , told colleagues Monday .
The bill approved by the Legislature on Monday , AB 3088 , prevents landlords from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year from March to Sept. 1 .
The prohibition continues from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31 , 2021 for renters who pay at least 25 % of their rent and file a declaration of financial hardship .
Tenants who make more than $ 100,000 or more than 130 % of the area median income would be required to provide additional documentation to prove their financial hardship .
After Jan. 31 , tenants could not be evicted for failing to pay full rent for the previous months , but renters can be evicted if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and afterward .
The unpaid rent — both the amount owed since March and the portion unpaid during the next five months — would be treated as consumer debt , recoverable by a landlord only through small-claims court .
In cities and counties that have adopted strong tenant protections , those ordinances would remain in place until they expire , after which time state law would apply , officials said .
The measure was opposed by Ron Kingston , representing five housing groups including the Apartment Assn .
of Orange County , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cities and the East Bay Rental Housing Assn .
Kingston said it is unreasonable to allow renters to only pay a quarter of their rent for the next five months .
“ Twenty five percent is not anywhere near enough income for the owners to pay for repairs and maintenance , ” Kingston said .
He also said renters should have to provide more proof of financial hardship than signing a declaration and criticized a provision that authorizes cities and counties to allow repayments of back rent as late as March 2022 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Kingston said .
“ It will create massive strain .
Bankruptcy or foreclosure may or will result .
It will create financial hardship.
” The Senate approved the bill with two Republicans voting against it , three voting in favor and the others abstaining .
Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson ( D-Sana Barbara ) supported the bill even though she angrily criticized the banking industry for not agreeing to stronger requirements that they approve forbearance of mortgage payments for struggling property owners .
The bill gives lenders broad leeway to turn down requests from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments , said Jackson , who is chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee .
“ It offers nothing of substance to borrowers , ” Jackson said .
“ The banks and the mortgage holders aren ’ t doing a thing , and I can ’ t tell you how disappointed I am that they have not been willing to step up.
” Republican Sen. Andreas Borgeas of Modesto noted that federal law regulating banks limits what the state can do .
“ California can not dictate to the banks what they expect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He “ reluctantly ” voted for the bill but warned he would not support any effort to extend it past Jan. 31 .
Senate Republican leader Shannon Grove of Bakersfield abstained from voting on the bill , predicting that the restrictions on evictions would be challenged in court .
Grove said she worries about property owners being able to fix roofs and make other needed repairs if rent is not coming in .
“ Those things cost money every month that the landlords and these small landlords are continuing to have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats also said they would have preferred stronger protections against evictions , but noted time was running out for action .
“ This is an imperfect solution to an unprecedented crisis , ” said Sen. Bill Monning ( D-Carmel ) , calling it a “ stopgap measure .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature acted Monday to avert a housing crisis by approving legislation to extend protections against evictions by five months for California renters facing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Newsom signed the bill just before midnight, hours after it was approved in two-thirds votes of both houses of the state Legislature on Monday, the last day of this year’s session.
“COVID-19 has impacted everyone in California — but some bear much more of the burden than others, especially tenants struggling to stitch together the monthly rent, and they deserve protection from eviction,” Newsom said in a statement announcing the signing. “This new law protects tenants from eviction for non-payment of rent and helps keep homeowners out of foreclosure as a result of economic hardship caused by this terrible pandemic.”
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The bill takes effect immediately as previous protections are set to expire at midnight Tuesday.
“That is why we must act today to establish new protections to get us through the next few months to prevent a wave of mass evictions in the middle of a public health emergency with no clear end in sight,” said Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) on Monday during floor debate on AB 3088.
Renters will not be evicted through Jan. 31 as long as they pay at least 25% of their rent and file a declaration with their landlord attesting that they are suffering financial hardship because of the pandemic and its related business shutdowns, which have put millions of Californians out of work.
“Our goal here was to protect tenants so they would not get evicted and to encourage the banks and get them involved and make sure they don’t foreclose on properties,” said Caballero, a coauthor of the bill.
The new law, which takes effect immediately, disappointed many tenant advocates who worry renters will still not be able to pay rent by Feb. 1, and they will still be on the hook for rent not paid in previous months, with landlords able to go to small claims court to collect.
Brian Augusta of the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation said he supports the bill to head off evictions this week, but said tenants need further protection.
“We do not see this bill as the solution, and we have a lot more work to do,” he told senators at a public hearing on Saturday.
The legislation was drafted as a compromise after groups representing landlords warned that previous bills proposing one to three years of full rent waivers would have left many property owners, including small rental investors, without income to pay their mortgages, putting properties at the risk of foreclosure.
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The ultimate solution would be for the federal government to provide tenants with financial assistance that allows them to pay their rent, said Debra Carlton, an executive vice president of the California Apartment Assn., which represents landlords.
“If rent continues to go unpaid, housing providers will either face foreclosures or, if they can, they will sell or convert their properties,” Carlton told lawmakers during the weekend hearing. “That may mean tenants will lose their homes in the end, and these smaller properties have historically been affordable housing. Losing these units will worsen California’s housing shortage.”
Newsom agreed that more financial help is needed from Washington.
“We need a real, federal commitment of significant new funding to assist struggling tenants and homeowners in California and across the nation,” the governor said.
In March, Newsom sought to slow the spread of the deadly virus by directing Californians to stay home and not to congregate in public places. Many businesses were forced to shut their doors or limit operations.
As a result, 11 million people have filed claims for unemployment insurance benefits since March.
In late March, Newsom issued an executive order briefly banning all renter evictions. The state Judicial Council later issued a moratorium on courts processing evictions and this month extended it through Sept. 1, and tenant groups warned the state would face a tidal wave of evictions unless additional action was taken.
“This is a temporary, stopgap measure,” Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco), an author of the bill, told colleagues Monday.
The bill approved by the Legislature on Monday, AB 3088, prevents landlords from evicting tenants for nonpayment of rent this year from March to Sept. 1. The prohibition continues from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31, 2021, for renters who pay at least 25% of their rent and file a declaration of financial hardship.
Tenants who make more than $100,000 or more than 130% of the area median income would be required to provide additional documentation to prove their financial hardship.
After Jan. 31, tenants could not be evicted for failing to pay full rent for the previous months, but renters can be evicted if they fail to pay rent for February and afterward.
The unpaid rent — both the amount owed since March and the portion unpaid during the next five months — would be treated as consumer debt, recoverable by a landlord only through small-claims court.
In cities and counties that have adopted strong tenant protections, those ordinances would remain in place until they expire, after which time state law would apply, officials said.
The measure was opposed by Ron Kingston, representing five housing groups including the Apartment Assn. of Orange County, the Apartment Assn. of California, Southern Cities and the East Bay Rental Housing Assn.
Kingston said it is unreasonable to allow renters to only pay a quarter of their rent for the next five months.
“Twenty-five percent is not anywhere near enough income for the owners to pay for repairs and maintenance,” Kingston said.
He also said renters should have to provide more proof of financial hardship than signing a declaration and criticized a provision that authorizes cities and counties to allow repayments of back rent as late as March 2022.
“That is simply too long,” Kingston said. “It will create massive strain. Bankruptcy or foreclosure may or will result. It will create financial hardship.”
The Senate approved the bill with two Republicans voting against it, three voting in favor and the others abstaining.
Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) supported the bill even though she angrily criticized the banking industry for not agreeing to stronger requirements that they approve forbearance of mortgage payments for struggling property owners.
The bill gives lenders broad leeway to turn down requests from many property owners for forbearance on mortgage payments, said Jackson, who is chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“It offers nothing of substance to borrowers,” Jackson said. “The banks and the mortgage holders aren’t doing a thing, and I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that they have not been willing to step up.”
Republican Sen. Andreas Borgeas of Modesto noted that federal law regulating banks limits what the state can do.
“California cannot dictate to the banks what they expect the banks to perform,” Borgeas said.
He said he “reluctantly” voted for the bill but warned he would not support any effort to extend it past Jan. 31.
Senate Republican leader Shannon Grove of Bakersfield abstained from voting, predicting that the restrictions on evictions would be challenged in court. Grove said she worries about property owners being able to fix roofs and make other needed repairs if rent is not coming in.
“Those things cost money every month that the landlords and these small landlords are continuing to have to pay for,” Grove said.
Democrats also said they would have preferred stronger protections against evictions, but noted time was running out for action.
“This is an imperfect solution to an unprecedented crisis,” said Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel), calling it a “stopgap measure.”


latimes--2020-09-01--After California gun laws failed to stop Poway gunman, lawmakers act to close a loophole

California lawmakers approved legislation Monday that would close a loophole in state gun control laws that surfaced after a mass shooting at a suburban San Diego County synagogue last year .
The Senate sent the bill to Gov .
Gavin Newsom for consideration .
The state currently prohibits the sale of rifles to people under age 21 unless they have a valid hunting license , but the 19-year-old Poway shooter was able to buy a semiautomatic rifle for the attack despite his age and though he did not posses a valid hunting license .
The bill by Sen. Anthony J.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ require gun dealers and the state Department of Justice to confirm that rifle purchasers under age 21 have a valid hunting license .
“ We have a gun violence epidemic in our country and it sadly has become all too common to see senseless violence in the news , ” Portantino said .
“ It is even more appalling that these shootings , including the Poway tragedy , have increasingly targeted houses of worship.
” The state has enacted numerous other gun restrictions following mass shootings in recent years , including deadly attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s measure , SB 914 , had previously been approved by the Senate but heads back there for concurrence on amendments that included delaying the implementation date until July 1 , 2021 .
The loophole was discovered by the investigation into the April 2019 shooting attack on the Chabad of Poway that left one person dead and three injured .
The shooter had paid for a hunting license but it was not yet valid at the time he bought the rifle .
Nobody checked its validity .
The bill requires the seller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hunting license to make sure it is valid during the 10-day waiting period for buying a gun , and to record the document number and dates during which time it is valid .
The state Department of Justice , which reviews gun purchases , would be required to verify the validity of the license with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife .
A letter to lawmakers from the San Diego city attorney ’ s office said that Portantino ’ s legislation “ would close that loophole.
” The measure is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group Gun Owners of California .
“ This legislation will eliminate most , if not all , youth shooting programs throughout the state by making it virtually impossible for youth to shoot a firearm provided by anyone other than parents , ” the group wrote to lawmakers .
“ This includes youth camps , and high school shooting teams that have become very popular throughout California.
” The Portantino bill was one of several gun control measures approved over the last few days of the session .
The Legislature also sent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be equipped with chamber load indicators , magazine disconnect mechanisms and microstamping technology that allows law enforcement to better track firearms .
The bill would take effect on July 1 , 2022 .
“ This is a bill that will assist law enforcement in solving gun-related crimes via using microstamping technology and reduce the number of accidental gun deaths and injuries , ” said Assemblyman David Chiu ( D-San Francisco ) , who introduced the bill .
Lawmakers also approved a bill that would require the state to honor gun violence restraining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders temporarily remove firearms from people a court decides are a danger to themselves or others .
Another measure approved by the Legislature gives the state Department of Justice new powers , beginning July 1 , 2021 , to impose civil fines on firearms dealers who violate state regulations .
The actions came just days after a study by gun-violence research experts at UC Davis Health said there has been a significant drop in firearm injuries in recent years in California , but there has been a substantial increase in the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by firearms .

While talking to a police officer, Chabad of Poway members hug after a 19-year-old gunman shot multiple people inside the synagogue, killing Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, on April 27, 2019, in Poway, Calif.
California lawmakers approved legislation Monday that would close a loophole in state gun control laws that surfaced after a mass shooting at a suburban San Diego County synagogue last year. The Senate sent the bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration.
The state currently prohibits the sale of rifles to people under age 21 unless they have a valid hunting license, but the 19-year-old Poway shooter was able to buy a semiautomatic rifle for the attack despite his age and though he did not posses a valid hunting license.
The bill by Sen. Anthony J. Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge) would require gun dealers and the state Department of Justice to confirm that rifle purchasers under age 21 have a valid hunting license.
“We have a gun violence epidemic in our country and it sadly has become all too common to see senseless violence in the news,” Portantino said. “It is even more appalling that these shootings, including the Poway tragedy, have increasingly targeted houses of worship.”
The state has enacted numerous other gun restrictions following mass shootings in recent years, including deadly attacks in Gilroy and San Bernardino.
Portantino’s measure, SB 914, had previously been approved by the Senate but heads back there for concurrence on amendments that included delaying the implementation date until July 1, 2021.
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The loophole was discovered by the investigation into the April 2019 shooting attack on the Chabad of Poway that left one person dead and three injured. The shooter had paid for a hunting license but it was not yet valid at the time he bought the rifle. Nobody checked its validity.
The bill requires the seller of rifles to visually inspect a purchaser’s hunting license to make sure it is valid during the 10-day waiting period for buying a gun, and to record the document number and dates during which time it is valid. The state Department of Justice, which reviews gun purchases, would be required to verify the validity of the license with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A letter to lawmakers from the San Diego city attorney’s office said that Portantino’s legislation “would close that loophole.”
The measure is opposed by advocates for firearms owners including the group Gun Owners of California.
“This legislation will eliminate most, if not all, youth shooting programs throughout the state by making it virtually impossible for youth to shoot a firearm provided by anyone other than parents,” the group wrote to lawmakers. “This includes youth camps, and high school shooting teams that have become very popular throughout California.”
The Portantino bill was one of several gun control measures approved over the last few days of the session.
The Legislature also sent the governor a bill that requires semiautomatic pistols to be equipped with chamber load indicators, magazine disconnect mechanisms and microstamping technology that allows law enforcement to better track firearms. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2022.
“This is a bill that will assist law enforcement in solving gun-related crimes via using microstamping technology and reduce the number of accidental gun deaths and injuries,” said Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco), who introduced the bill.
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Lawmakers also approved a bill that would require the state to honor gun violence restraining orders issued by other states. The orders temporarily remove firearms from people a court decides are a danger to themselves or others.
Another measure approved by the Legislature gives the state Department of Justice new powers, beginning July 1, 2021, to impose civil fines on firearms dealers who violate state regulations.
The actions came just days after a study by gun-violence research experts at UC Davis Health said there has been a significant drop in firearm injuries in recent years in California, but there has been a substantial increase in the state’s overall death rate among those wounded by firearms.


latimes--2020-09-01--California legislators cap off session with several COVID-19 protection bills

California lawmakers on Monday wrapped up a legislative session largely defined by the pandemic as they approved new COVID-19 sick leave for food workers , added sweeping labor protections for laid-off hotel staff and made it easier for essential employees to file for workers ’ compensation .
With approval in the Senate and Assembly ahead of Monday ’ s deadline , the bills will next head to Gov .
Gavin Newsom , who will have until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the measures .
The bills made their way through the Capitol after the building itself had to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , shortening the time lawmakers had to craft and debate proposals .
At least three lawmakers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since July , and in the final days of session , 10 Republicans were forced to quarantine and vote remotely .
“ We had to pivot quickly despite those disruptions to deal with the crisis this year , ” said Sen. Richard Pan ( D-Sacramento ) , a pediatrician who chairs the Senate ’ s Health Committee .
“ It was a very challenging and unusual session , but I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those already en route is Assembly Bill 3216 by Assemblyman Ash Kalra ( D-San Jose ) , a proposal pushed by unions that would create significant labor protections for hotel , janitorial , airport , event center and building maintenance workers .
The bill requires employers in those industries to first rehire workers they laid off during a state of emergency , including in cases in which a new owner takes over a business .
“ This bill is and has always been about protecting workers , especially those who have been among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latino workers , low-wage workers and immigrant workers , ” Kalra said .
“ These workers did not create this crisis , and they should be able to go back to their jobs and be part of our state ’ s economic recovery.
” Opponents included Republicans and business groups , who argued that the “ right of recall ” provisions — which would require employers to extend offers of employment to laid-off workers — were unworkable and would slow industries trying to reopen .
The Legislature also passed a budget trailer bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would require food-sector companies , healthcare providers and emergency responders with more than 500 employees to provide two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave for full-time workers who are unable to work after being exposed to the coronavirus or contracting COVID-19 .
AB 1867 , which expires Dec. 31 , is similar to an executive order Newsom signed earlier this year .
Federal law passed this year provides the same benefit to employees at smaller businesses .
Assemblyman Phil Ting ( D-San Francisco ) said AB 1867 would ensure that workers at larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the cold.
” “ We want to make sure we are protecting those workers , especially those workers who are going to work every single day to feed us , ” Ting said .
Assemblyman Jay Obernolte ( R-Big Bear Lake ) said restaurants in the state are struggling to remain afloat amid the ban on indoor dining , and adding new regulations will hurt those businesses further .
“ Although I think we all share the desire to make it easier for the workers of California , it is wrong to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an industry already reeling , ” Obernolte said .
Late Monday night , the Legislature passed SB 1159 by Sen. Jerry Hill ( D-San Mateo ) , which would make it easier for police , firefighters and other essential employees who contract COVID-19 on the job to be covered under the state ’ s workers ’ compensation program .
The bill also eases a requirement that workers with COVID-19 prove they contracted the illness while on the job in cases in which there is an outbreak at the employee ’ s worksite .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work “ hand in glove ” with the Legislature to expand COVID-19 workplace protections , including loosening workers ’ compensation claim requirements .
In May , Newsom signed an executive order easing workers ’ compensation restrictions for essential workers , but those changes relaxed the burden of proof only for workers with COVID-19 before July 5 .
SB 1159 codifies the executive order and extends the time frame for the changes until 2023 .
The Legislature also approved AB 276 by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman ( D-Glendale ) , which would raise the amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retirement accounts to $ 100,000 from $ 50,000 if they have been financially impacted by the pandemic .
Another proposal approved by the Legislature , AB 2537 by Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez ( D-Pomona ) , would require general acute care hospitals to stockpile three months of protective equipment supplies by April 1 or face a fine of up to $ 25,000 .
AB 2043 by Assemblyman Robert Rivas ( D-Hollister ) is also headed to Newsom and would require the state ’ s Division of Occupational Safety and Health to compile and publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to COVID-19 , as well as illnesses from the virus .
While lawmakers worked to clear bills before Monday ’ s deadline , the state Senate was largely slowed by an unprecedented challenge — remote voting by 10 Republicans forced to quarantine after being exposed to Sen. Brian Jones ( R-Santee ) , who tested positive for COVID-19 last week .
Action on COVID-19 bills and all other pending legislation came to a grinding halt early Monday evening for almost two hours when a bitter partisan feud erupted in the state Senate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of bills to be considered before the constitutional deadline at midnight , sought to impose time limits on debate — a change in normal Senate rules that infuriated Republicans .
Senators quarreled over the rule change , with at least one expletive caught on a microphone that wasn ’ t muted .
The effect of the disagreement left the fate of several closely watched bills in doubt as the night wore on .
Lawmakers approved SB 275 by Pan and Sen. Connie Leyva ( D-Chino ) , which calls for the state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospitals and other healthcare employers would be required to assemble a 45-day supply by June 1 , 2023 .
SB275 was watered down in recent days , reducing the stockpile from a 90-day supply to half that amount for healthcare employers , while leaving the state ’ s own threshold undefined .
Recent amendments require the state to begin building its stockpile only after money is set aside to do so .
Opponents of the bill argued that it requires healthcare employers to begin building a supply too soon , potentially taking away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others have said it ’ s the responsibility of the state , not healthcare employers , to create a stockpile for emergencies .
Pan said the need for the state to warehouse medical supplies was evident during the current pandemic , in which mask shortages drove up prices and increased the spread of the virus .
A UC Berkeley Labor Center study found that if the state had had a stockpile prior to the COVID-19 pandemic , thousands of workers would not have contracted the virus , and California would have saved $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from out-of-work healthcare workers .
The study ’ s co-author , William Dow , a professor of health policy and management in the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley , said California can save money and lives if it plans ahead .
Dow said any stockpile is an improvement over what California had prior to the pandemic , but he raised concerns that a 45-day supply would not be sufficient .
“ I find that incredibly myopic , ” Dow said .
“ I hope this is looked at again when people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current uncertainty surrounding our budget .
”

California lawmakers on Monday wrapped up a legislative session largely defined by the pandemic as they approved new COVID-19 sick leave for food workers, added sweeping labor protections for laid-off hotel staff and made it easier for essential employees to file for workers’ compensation.
With approval in the Senate and Assembly ahead of Monday’s deadline, the bills will next head to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will have until Sept. 30 to sign or veto the measures.
The bills made their way through the Capitol after the building itself had to be shuttered twice this year due to the coronavirus, shortening the time lawmakers had to craft and debate proposals. At least three lawmakers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since July, and in the final days of session, 10 Republicans were forced to quarantine and vote remotely.
Advertisement
“We had to pivot quickly despite those disruptions to deal with the crisis this year,” said Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), a pediatrician who chairs the Senate’s Health Committee. “It was a very challenging and unusual session, but I think we did what was needed.”
Among those already en route is Assembly Bill 3216 by Assemblyman Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), a proposal pushed by unions that would create significant labor protections for hotel, janitorial, airport, event center and building maintenance workers.
The bill requires employers in those industries to first rehire workers they laid off during a state of emergency, including in cases in which a new owner takes over a business.
“This bill is and has always been about protecting workers, especially those who have been among the hardest-hit communities during this crisis: Latino workers, low-wage workers and immigrant workers,” Kalra said. “These workers did not create this crisis, and they should be able to go back to their jobs and be part of our state’s economic recovery.”
Opponents included Republicans and business groups, who argued that the “right of recall” provisions — which would require employers to extend offers of employment to laid-off workers — were unworkable and would slow industries trying to reopen.
The Legislature also passed a budget trailer bill, first made public Friday, that would require food-sector companies, healthcare providers and emergency responders with more than 500 employees to provide two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave for full-time workers who are unable to work after being exposed to the coronavirus or contracting COVID-19. AB 1867, which expires Dec. 31, is similar to an executive order Newsom signed earlier this year.
Federal law passed this year provides the same benefit to employees at smaller businesses. Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) said AB 1867 would ensure that workers at larger companies “aren’t left out in the cold.”
“We want to make sure we are protecting those workers, especially those workers who are going to work every single day to feed us,” Ting said.
Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R-Big Bear Lake) said restaurants in the state are struggling to remain afloat amid the ban on indoor dining, and adding new regulations will hurt those businesses further.
“Although I think we all share the desire to make it easier for the workers of California, it is wrong to put this burden on the shoulder of an industry already reeling,” Obernolte said.
Advertisement
Late Monday night, the Legislature passed SB 1159 by Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), which would make it easier for police, firefighters and other essential employees who contract COVID-19 on the job to be covered under the state’s workers’ compensation program. The bill also eases a requirement that workers with COVID-19 prove they contracted the illness while on the job in cases in which there is an outbreak at the employee’s worksite.
Newsom has previously said he plans to work “hand in glove” with the Legislature to expand COVID-19 workplace protections, including loosening workers’ compensation claim requirements. In May, Newsom signed an executive order easing workers’ compensation restrictions for essential workers, but those changes relaxed the burden of proof only for workers with COVID-19 before July 5. SB 1159 codifies the executive order and extends the time frame for the changes until 2023.
The Legislature also approved AB 276 by Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), which would raise the amount Californians can borrow penalty-free from their employer-sponsored retirement accounts to $100,000 from $50,000 if they have been financially impacted by the pandemic.
Another proposal approved by the Legislature, AB 2537 by Assemblyman Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona), would require general acute care hospitals to stockpile three months of protective equipment supplies by April 1 or face a fine of up to $25,000. AB 2043 by Assemblyman Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) is also headed to Newsom and would require the state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health to compile and publicly report investigations into agricultural workplace conditions related to COVID-19, as well as illnesses from the virus.
While lawmakers worked to clear bills before Monday’s deadline, the state Senate was largely slowed by an unprecedented challenge — remote voting by 10 Republicans forced to quarantine after being exposed to Sen. Brian Jones (R-Santee), who tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
Action on COVID-19 bills and all other pending legislation came to a grinding halt early Monday evening for almost two hours when a bitter partisan feud erupted in the state Senate. Majority Democrats, concerned about the number of bills to be considered before the constitutional deadline at midnight, sought to impose time limits on debate — a change in normal Senate rules that infuriated Republicans.
Senators quarreled over the rule change, with at least one expletive caught on a microphone that wasn’t muted. The effect of the disagreement left the fate of several closely watched bills in doubt as the night wore on.
Lawmakers approved SB 275 by Pan and Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino), which calls for the state to build a supply of medical equipment. Hospitals and other healthcare employers would be required to assemble a 45-day supply by June 1, 2023.
SB275 was watered down in recent days, reducing the stockpile from a 90-day supply to half that amount for healthcare employers, while leaving the state’s own threshold undefined. Recent amendments require the state to begin building its stockpile only after money is set aside to do so.
Opponents of the bill argued that it requires healthcare employers to begin building a supply too soon, potentially taking away equipment needed now by frontline workers. Others have said it’s the responsibility of the state, not healthcare employers, to create a stockpile for emergencies.
Pan said the need for the state to warehouse medical supplies was evident during the current pandemic, in which mask shortages drove up prices and increased the spread of the virus.
A UC Berkeley Labor Center study found that if the state had had a stockpile prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of workers would not have contracted the virus, and California would have saved $93 million each week on unemployment claims from out-of-work healthcare workers.
The study’s co-author, William Dow, a professor of health policy and management in the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley, said California can save money and lives if it plans ahead. Dow said any stockpile is an improvement over what California had prior to the pandemic, but he raised concerns that a 45-day supply would not be sufficient.
“I find that incredibly myopic,” Dow said. “I hope this is looked at again when people have clearer eyes after we get through the current uncertainty surrounding our budget.”
Times staff writer John Myers contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-09-01--California passes some modest police oversight bills, but other measures fall short

After weeks of protests against law enforcement treatment of Black people , California legislators on Monday were largely unable to pass a suite of police reform measures , as the session ended chaotically .
Plagued by technology glitches , frustration and outright anger at times , lawmakers passed a proposal to have the state attorney general or another state prosecutor look into fatal shootings by peace officers .
That measure , AB 1506 , authored by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty ( D-Sacramento ) , passed with bipartisan support .
Similar measures by McCarty have been squashed twice before , in part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Becerra and Kamala Harris , have opposed having their office oversee police shootings , arguing they lacked the fiscal resources and already had the ability to step in if local investigations were inadequate .
The version of the law that was sent to the governor leaves the door open for creating an entirely new state-level office to investigate police shootings , rather than the attorney general ’ s office , which could provide a workaround if the Department of Justice remains reluctant to take on the job .
The bill also does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding for associated costs .
“ Let ’ s face it , the attorney general hasn ’ t really expressed an interest in doing this , which is really unfortunate , ” McCarty said .
“ So there are other models out there.
” McCarty was also able to secure passage of Assembly Bill 1185 , which clarifies how county boards of supervisors can create oversight commissions for sheriffs .
The bill also gives subpoena power to those boards .
McCarty has been working to pass that measure since , in 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and killed Mikel McIntyre , a Black man who hit an officer and a K-9 dog with rocks while experiencing a mental health crisis .
The Sacramento County inspector general found the shooting to involve excessive force , with one officer firing 18 rounds across a freeway , hitting McIntyre in the back as he fled .
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones locked the inspector general out of the sheriff ’ s department after the report was made public and demanded his ouster .
Oversight has also been an issue with the Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ example cited by McCarty .
“ Unfortunately , we have sheriffs across California who say , ‘ My oversight is the election and if you want a conversation on oversight you can have it every four years , ’ ” McCarty said .
“ This is needed throughout California.
” Legislators also banned the use of some neck restraints including chokeholds .
AB 1196 was passed with bipartisan support , and earlier this year , Gov .
Gavin Newsom encouraged law enforcement agencies statewide to stop training for such tactics .
Most large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restraints , but the new law brings uniformity to state standards .
Despite a handful of minor victories for policing reform , the most far-reaching and controversial measures remained without a vote by the midnight cutoff .
Among those , the most contested was a measure stripping troubled officers of their ability to keep a badge and holding officers to some financial responsibility if sued .
Law enforcement groups opposed that bill , Senate Bill 731 , authored by state Sen. Steven Bradford ( D-Gardena ) , arguing it went too far in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers ’ actions , and also might conflict with existing labor laws .
Bradford has long contended that distrust of internal police investigations made citizen oversight a necessity , and pointed out that California is one of only five states that doesn ’ t have a centralized method for decertifying peace officers who engage in serious misconduct .
The bill was written in response to the killing of Kenneth Ross Jr. by a Gardena police officer in 2018 , at a park near where Bradford grew up and still lives .
Though Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lacey deemed the shooting justified , Ross ’ family has filed a civil suit and contends the officer who fired his weapon had been involved in multiple shootings while working for another police agency .
Currently , it is difficult to trace an officer ’ s history of use of force if they switch jobs , which critics contend allows problem officers to move from agency to agency .
A second bill meant to fix that inability to track bad officers also failed Monday after coming close to passing .
SB 776 by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) would have built on an open-records reform from last session that requires the release of personnel records following certain serious incidents , including lethal use of force and sexual misconduct by officers .
The new measure would have expanded access to records to include those pertaining to any sustained instance of use of force by an officer , or any instance where an officer is found to have lied .
Though the measure was amended in the last days to soften some provisions , it would have marked a significant expansion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public — though many agencies across the state have been slow to release those records already required by law .
The bill passed both houses , but time ran out before it could return to the Senate for a concurrence vote that likely would have been successful .
A measure creating strict rules about when and how law enforcement could use non-lethal projectiles , such as rubber bullets , and tear gas to disperse crowds also stalled .
In Los Angeles and across California , protesters have clashed with police in recent months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries from such weapons .
With the myriad of proposed reforms , some police unions last week requested the Legislature call a special session on police reforms before moving any of the proposals , but that idea was quickly dismissed by the governor .
Instead , police unions and reform advocates lobbied furiously as the deadline for compromise hit Friday , with law enforcement finding some legislators sympathetic to the notion that a session condensed by the pandemic and plagued by wildfires was too rushed for careful reforms .
Measures that died earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have mandated officers intervene if a fellow officer used excessive force .
Bills passed Monday will now head to the governor ’ s office , where he has until Sept. 30 to sign them , veto them , or allow them to become law without his signature .

A makeshift memorial and mural are seen outside Cup Foods, where George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, on May 31 in Minneapolis.
After weeks of protests against law enforcement treatment of Black people, California legislators on Monday were largely unable to pass a suite of police reform measures, as the session ended chaotically.
Plagued by technology glitches, frustration and outright anger at times, lawmakers passed a proposal to have the state attorney general or another state prosecutor look into fatal shootings by peace officers.
That measure, AB 1506, authored by Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), passed with bipartisan support. Similar measures by McCarty have been squashed twice before, in part because state attorneys general, including Xavier Becerra and Kamala Harris, have opposed having their office oversee police shootings, arguing they lacked the fiscal resources and already had the ability to step in if local investigations were inadequate.
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The version of the law that was sent to the governor leaves the door open for creating an entirely new state-level office to investigate police shootings, rather than the attorney general’s office, which could provide a workaround if the Department of Justice remains reluctant to take on the job. The bill also does not go into effect unless the Legislature approves funding for associated costs.
“Let’s face it, the attorney general hasn’t really expressed an interest in doing this, which is really unfortunate,” McCarty said. “So there are other models out there.”
McCarty was also able to secure passage of Assembly Bill 1185, which clarifies how county boards of supervisors can create oversight commissions for sheriffs. The bill also gives subpoena power to those boards.
McCarty has been working to pass that measure since, in 2017, Sacramento County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed Mikel McIntyre, a Black man who hit an officer and a K-9 dog with rocks while experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Sacramento County inspector general found the shooting to involve excessive force, with one officer firing 18 rounds across a freeway, hitting McIntyre in the back as he fled. Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones locked the inspector general out of the sheriff’s department after the report was made public and demanded his ouster.
Oversight has also been an issue with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, another example cited by McCarty.
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“Unfortunately, we have sheriffs across California who say, ‘My oversight is the election and if you want a conversation on oversight you can have it every four years,’” McCarty said. “This is needed throughout California.”
Legislators also banned the use of some neck restraints including chokeholds. AB 1196 was passed with bipartisan support, and earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom encouraged law enforcement agencies statewide to stop training for such tactics. Most large departments already restrict or ban dangerous carotid restraints, but the new law brings uniformity to state standards.
Despite a handful of minor victories for policing reform, the most far-reaching and controversial measures remained without a vote by the midnight cutoff. Among those, the most contested was a measure stripping troubled officers of their ability to keep a badge and holding officers to some financial responsibility if sued.
Law enforcement groups opposed that bill, Senate Bill 731, authored by state Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), arguing it went too far in including a powerful citizens commission to evaluate officers’ actions, and also might conflict with existing labor laws. Bradford has long contended that distrust of internal police investigations made citizen oversight a necessity, and pointed out that California is one of only five states that doesn’t have a centralized method for decertifying peace officers who engage in serious misconduct.
The bill was written in response to the killing of Kenneth Ross Jr. by a Gardena police officer in 2018, at a park near where Bradford grew up and still lives. Though Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey deemed the shooting justified, Ross’ family has filed a civil suit and contends the officer who fired his weapon had been involved in multiple shootings while working for another police agency.
Currently, it is difficult to trace an officer’s history of use of force if they switch jobs, which critics contend allows problem officers to move from agency to agency.
A second bill meant to fix that inability to track bad officers also failed Monday after coming close to passing.
SB 776 by state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D- Berkeley) would have built on an open-records reform from last session that requires the release of personnel records following certain serious incidents, including lethal use of force and sexual misconduct by officers.
The new measure would have expanded access to records to include those pertaining to any sustained instance of use of force by an officer, or any instance where an officer is found to have lied. Though the measure was amended in the last days to soften some provisions, it would have marked a significant expansion of what information departments must release to the public — though many agencies across the state have been slow to release those records already required by law.
The bill passed both houses, but time ran out before it could return to the Senate for a concurrence vote that likely would have been successful.
A measure creating strict rules about when and how law enforcement could use non-lethal projectiles, such as rubber bullets, and tear gas to disperse crowds also stalled. In Los Angeles and across California, protesters have clashed with police in recent months, leading to multiple reports of serious injuries from such weapons.
With the myriad of proposed reforms, some police unions last week requested the Legislature call a special session on police reforms before moving any of the proposals, but that idea was quickly dismissed by the governor.
Instead, police unions and reform advocates lobbied furiously as the deadline for compromise hit Friday, with law enforcement finding some legislators sympathetic to the notion that a session condensed by the pandemic and plagued by wildfires was too rushed for careful reforms.
Measures that died earlier in the session included one that would have mandated officers intervene if a fellow officer used excessive force. Bills passed Monday will now head to the governor’s office, where he has until Sept. 30 to sign them, veto them, or allow them to become law without his signature.


latimes--2020-09-01--Tobacco industry could ask California voters to overturn ban on flavored tobacco sales

California voters could be asked to overturn a new law banning the sale of flavored tobacco after opponents notified the state Monday of plans to seek a referendum on the measure .
A notice was filed with the state by an attorney who has represented firms including R.J. Reynolds , which led the opposition campaign to Senate Bill 793 .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed the bill on Friday and it takes effect Jan. 1 .
Attorney Aaron Agenbroad is one of a group of three people who submitted papers to the state attorney general ’ s office for preparation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible referendum petition .
He did not respond to requests for comment on who is behind the referendum .
If opponents qualify the referendum by collecting the signatures of 623,212 registered voters , the tobacco ban would be placed on hold until voters are given a chance to weigh in , possibly in 2022 .
The referendum is being pursued by a new political group called the California Coalition for Fairness .
A representative for the group did not respond to questions seeking the identity of its members .
“ We agree that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tobacco products , but this can be achieved without imposing a total prohibition on products that millions of adults choose to use , ” the coalition said in a statement .
“ This law goes too far and is unfair , particularly since lawmakers have exempted hookah , expensive cigars and flavored pipe tobacco from the prohibition.
” State Sen. Jerry Hill ( D-San Mateo ) , the author of the bill , denounced the plan to seek a referendum .
“ California fought Big Tobacco and won , ” Hill said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ loser and it is relentless .
It wants to keep killing people with its candy- , fruit- , mint- and menthol-flavored poison .
The adults who are hooked on nicotine aren ’ t enough for Big Tobacco ; it wants our kids too.
” The new law bans the retail sale of flavored tobacco products including menthol .
Reynolds ran a television ad campaign against the legislation that drew criticism from Black community leaders for claiming the bill singled out people of color .
Hill introduced the legislation in response to a spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flavored tobacco products .
Hill cited a 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found that 67 % of high school students and 49 % of middle school students who used tobacco products in the prior 30 days reported using a flavored tobacco product during that time .
Another proponent listed on the referendum filing , Jaime Rojas , was a spokesman for a tobacco industry campaign to overturn a ban on flavored tobacco in San Francisco .
He also could not be reached for comment .
The filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , managing director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc. “ The tobacco industry has always shown it will go to any length to deceive the public about its deadly product , ” Knox said .
“ We are confident that if it gets on the ballot , that California voters will see through this despicable tobacco industry ploy to continue to lure kids into a lifetime of tobacco addiction .
”

Menthol cigarettes, pictured, will be banned for sale in California under a new law, but the tobacco industry gave notice it plans to seek a referendum to overturn the law.
California voters could be asked to overturn a new law banning the sale of flavored tobacco after opponents notified the state Monday of plans to seek a referendum on the measure.
A notice was filed with the state by an attorney who has represented firms including R.J. Reynolds, which led the opposition campaign to Senate Bill 793. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill on Friday and it takes effect Jan. 1.
Attorney Aaron Agenbroad is one of a group of three people who submitted papers to the state attorney general’s office for preparation of a title and summary for a possible referendum petition. He did not respond to requests for comment on who is behind the referendum.
If opponents qualify the referendum by collecting the signatures of 623,212 registered voters, the tobacco ban would be placed on hold until voters are given a chance to weigh in, possibly in 2022.
The referendum is being pursued by a new political group called the California Coalition for Fairness. A representative for the group did not respond to questions seeking the identity of its members.
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“We agree that youth should never have access to any tobacco products, but this can be achieved without imposing a total prohibition on products that millions of adults choose to use,” the coalition said in a statement. “This law goes too far and is unfair, particularly since lawmakers have exempted hookah, expensive cigars and flavored pipe tobacco from the prohibition.”
State Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), the author of the bill, denounced the plan to seek a referendum.
“California fought Big Tobacco and won,” Hill said. “This shameless industry is a sore loser and it is relentless. It wants to keep killing people with its candy-, fruit-, mint- and menthol-flavored poison. The adults who are hooked on nicotine aren’t enough for Big Tobacco; it wants our kids too.”
The new law bans the retail sale of flavored tobacco products including menthol. Reynolds ran a television ad campaign against the legislation that drew criticism from Black community leaders for claiming the bill singled out people of color.
Hill introduced the legislation in response to a spike in teen use of electronic cigarettes and flavored tobacco products.
Hill cited a 2018 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found that 67% of high school students and 49% of middle school students who used tobacco products in the prior 30 days reported using a flavored tobacco product during that time.
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Another proponent listed on the referendum filing, Jaime Rojas, was a spokesman for a tobacco industry campaign to overturn a ban on flavored tobacco in San Francisco. He also could not be reached for comment.
The filing was not a surprise to Jim Knox, managing director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Inc.
“The tobacco industry has always shown it will go to any length to deceive the public about its deadly product,” Knox said. “We are confident that if it gets on the ballot, that California voters will see through this despicable tobacco industry ploy to continue to lure kids into a lifetime of tobacco addiction.”


latimes--2020-08-31--Fatal shooting of Black man by L.A. sheriff's deputies sparks protests, questions

Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies on Monday shot and killed a Black man in an incident that is sparking concern and outrage in the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Westmont .
Authorities said the shooting occurred at the end of a pursuit and after the man allegedly struck one of the deputies .
Hours after the shooting , a crowd gathered at the scene and demanded answers .
There were chants of “ Say his name , ” “ No justice , no peace ” and “ Black lives matter.
” Some said they didn ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday night , more than 100 protesters marched to the Sheriff ’ s station on Imperial Highway , where the demonstration continued .
The incident comes two months after the of 18-year-old Andres Guardado in Gardena , which has sparked weeks of demonstrations .
Sheriff ’ s Lt. Brandon Dean said Monday evening that two deputies from the South Los Angeles station were driving on Budlong Avenue when they spotted a man riding his bicycle in violation of vehicle codes .
Dean said he didn ’ t know which vehicle codes the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contact the man , he dropped the bicycle and ran north on Budlong for one block with deputies in pursuit , Dean said .
In the 1200 block of West 109th Place , deputies again tried to make contact with the man , and he punched one of them in the face , Dean said .
In doing so , the man dropped a bundle of clothing he had been carrying .
The deputies spotted a black handgun in the bundle , Dean said , and both opened fire , killing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man and described him only as a Black man in his 30s .
Dean said he did not know how many times the man was shot , but called reports he had been hit more than 20 times inaccurate .
Gerardo De La Torre , 18 , was playing video games in his bedroom on West 109th place when he heard 10 gunshots , followed by screams .
He went outside and saw a group of people confronting sheriff ’ s deputies .
Within five minutes , he said , 12 squad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sirens screaming , where a man lay dead .
De La Torre was reminded of a shooting just three months earlier : A Latino man had come down his street , a gun in his hand , and was standing in front of his family ’ s home when sheriff ’ s deputies shot him , he said .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said at the time that the man had pointed the handgun at officers .
There are still two bullet holes in the wooden fence outside his home .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s been going on here , ” he said .
He plans to move in two weeks to join his brother in San Francisco .
When Arlander Givens , 68 , saw the cruisers streaming by his home on West 109th Place , he knew by the number of cars that someone had been shot by law enforcement .
Givens has watched with alarm as Black men have died at the hands of the police in Minnesota , Wisconsin — and now , on his block .
“ It ’ s like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Givens questioned why the deputies opened fire , if as a sheriff ’ s official has said , the man wasn ’ t holding a weapon .
“ If he reached down to grab it , that ’ s different , ” Givens said .
“ But if it ’ s on the ground , why shoot ?
That means he was unarmed.
” When his wife goes to the store , Givens tells her to be careful .
“ We aren ’ t talking about some gang member , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re talking about the police .
And that ’ s bad .
I ’ ve got nothing to hide , I ’ ve got no reason to run , but when I see the police over my shoulder , I worry.
” A video taken in the neighborhood showed two deputies running after a man appearing to be carrying a bundle of clothes .
Later , the deputies are shown with their guns drawn , apparently after they shot the man .
Investigators have yet to interview the deputies and the many other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not reviewed surveillance footage or cellphone videos that may have captured the shooting .
“ Give us time to conduct our investigation , ” he said .
“ We will get all of the facts of this case and eventually present them .
”

A sheriff’s deputy at the scene on the night of the shooting. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said Kizzee had fled officers and struck one of them during a pursuit. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A resident looks on as protesters gather on Budlong Avenue hours after the Aug. 31 shooting. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Family and friends of Dijon Kizzee stand near the site of the shooting on Aug. 31. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
On Aug. 31, residents confront L.A. County sheriff’s deputies after the Kizzee shooting in the South L.A. neighborhood of Westmont. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters gather Saturday in front of the South Los Angeles sheriff’s station to demand justice for Dijon Kizzee. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
People look out their window as a crowd walks past Saturday to honor Dijon Kizzee along West Imperial Highway in Los Angeles. (Josie Norris/Los Angeles Times)
People block northbound Interstate 110 on Saturday during a protest of the fatal shooting of Dijon Kizzee in Los Angeles. (Josie Norris/Los Angeles Times)
Protesters gather Saturday in front of the South Los Angeles sheriff’s station to demand justice for Dijon Kizzee. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
The family of Dijon Kizzee gathers Saturday with protesters in front of the South Los Angeles sheriff’s station to demand justice for Dijon Kizzee. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Lucha Bright, left, of Revolution Club LA, caravans Tuesday with other members throughout a South Los Angeles neighborhood protesting the shooting of Dijon Kizzee. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Rima Williams, cousin of Dijon Kizzee, on Tuesday places a lighted candle at the memorial where Kizzee was shot along the 1300 block of West 109th Place in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies watch a crowd that gathered Tuesday near the corner of Imperial Highway and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)
A few people were taken into custody Tuesday after the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department declared an unlawful assembly and moved toward a crowd that gathered near the corner of Imperial Highway and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators gather Tuesday near the corner of Imperial Highway and Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles, where Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies declared an unlawful assembly. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on Monday shot and killed a Black man, drawing protesters to the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Westmont where he died.
The shooting victim was Dijon Kizzee, 29, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. Coroner’s spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said an examination was scheduled for Tuesday.
According to authorities, Kizzee struck a deputy in the face in the incident Monday afternoon, dropping a handgun in the process and prompting the deputy and his partner to open fire.
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Sheriff’s Lt. Brandon Dean said Monday evening that two deputies from the South Los Angeles station were driving on Budlong Avenue at 3:15 p.m. when they spotted a man riding his bicycle in violation of vehicle codes. Dean said he didn’t know which vehicle codes the man allegedly broke.
When the deputies attempted to contact the man, he dropped the bicycle and ran north on Budlong for one block with deputies in pursuit, Dean said. In the 1200 block of West 109th Place, deputies again tried to make contact with the man, and he punched one of them in the face, Dean said.
In doing so, the man dropped a bundle of clothing he had been carrying. The deputies spotted a black handgun in the bundle, Dean said, and both opened fire, killing the man. No deputies were injured.
Dean said he did not know how many times the man was shot but that reports that he had been hit more than 20 times were inaccurate.
Protesters demonstrate at the South L.A. Sheriff’s Station hours after a Black man was fatally shot by deputies. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Gerardo De La Torre, 18, was playing video games in his bedroom on West 109th Place when he heard 10 gunshots, followed by screams. He went outside and saw a group of people confronting sheriff’s deputies. Within five minutes, he said, 12 squad cars had pulled up to the intersection, sirens blaring, where a man lay dead.
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De La Torre was reminded of a shooting just three months earlier: A Latino man had come down his street, a gun in his hand, and was standing in front of his family’s home when sheriff’s deputies shot him, he said. The Sheriff’s Department said at the time that the man had pointed the handgun at officers.
There are still two bullet holes in the wooden fence outside his home.
“I don’t really like what’s been going on here,” he said. He added that he planned to move in two weeks to join his brother in San Francisco.
When Arlander Givens, 68, saw the cruisers streaming by his home on West 109th Place, he knew by the number of cars that someone had been shot by law enforcement.
Givens has watched with alarm as Black men have died at the hands of the police in Minnesota, Wisconsin — and, now, on his block.
“It’s like it’s open season,” he said.
Givens questioned why the deputies opened fire if, as a sheriff’s official has said, the man wasn’t holding a weapon.
“If he reached down to grab it, that’s different,” Givens said. “But if it’s on the ground, why shoot? That means he was unarmed.”
When his wife goes to the store, Givens tells her to be careful.
“We aren’t talking about some gang member,” he said. “We’re talking about the police. And that’s bad. I’ve got nothing to hide, I’ve got no reason to run, but when I see the police over my shoulder, I worry.”
In the hours after the shooting, a crowd of protesters — some from the neighborhood, others drawn by an “all hands on deck” tweet issued by the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter — faced off with deputies maintaining a perimeter at the scene.
As afternoon turned to night, the standoff grew tense. Many in the crowd angrily demanded to know why the man’s body remained in the street for hours. Dean, the sheriff’s lieutenant, told reporters the body hadn’t been removed because coroner’s investigators were still at the scene.
Investigators have yet to interview the deputies and many other witnesses, Dean said on Monday. They have not reviewed surveillance video or cellphone videos that may have captured the shooting.
“Give us time to conduct our investigation,” he said. “We will get all of the facts of this case and eventually present them.”
Neither deputy was wearing a body camera, according to Dean. Unlike the Los Angeles Police Department, the Sheriff’s Department has yet to equip its officers with body cameras. The department’s leadership said earlier this summer that it planned to begin distributing the cameras to deputies first at the Century Station in Lynwood, with other stations and bureaus receiving the technology over the next two years.
Deputies assigned to Century Station will be equipped with the cameras by October, the department said.


latimes--2020-09-01--Orange County to offer drive-thru voting for election at Honda Center

In these pandemic times , Orange County voters are about to be presented with an intriguing option : Cast your ballot without leaving your car .
Honda Center in Anaheim will serve as a polling place for the presidential election , with all Orange County citizens invited to drop off ballots there or vote in person — either inside the arena or inside their vehicle .
“ A polling place in your car , ” said Neal Kelley , Orange County ’ s registrar of voters .
Honda Center will be a one-stop voting location from October 30 through Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to have a very large setup inside of the Honda Center , ” Kelley said , “ as well as drive-through lanes in the parking lot.
” Honda Center becomes the third major Southland sports venue announced as a polling place , joining Dodger Stadium and Staples Center .
In a statement , Kelley called Honda Center “ an identifiable location that can accommodate a large number of voters while maintaining social distancing and health and safety protocols.
” “ Together , Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks are committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community , ” said Tim Ryan , chief executive of the Honda Center , in a statement .
“ We are thrilled that Honda Center will serve as a polling location , providing a unique voting experience.
” Since the Ducks last played in March , Honda Center has been a community gathering place for such events as pop-up weddings and drive-thru food distributions .
Kelley said he has not talked with the Angels about the possibility of setting up a polling place at Angel Stadium .
The Honda Center plan has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , and Angel Stadium sits just on the other side of the 57 Freeway .

The Honda Center in Anaheim will be a drive-thru polling site for the November general election.
In these pandemic times, Orange County voters are about to be presented with an intriguing option: Cast your ballot without leaving your car.
Honda Center in Anaheim will serve as a polling place for the presidential election, with all Orange County citizens invited to drop off ballots there or vote in person — either inside the arena or inside their vehicle.
“A polling place in your car,” said Neal Kelley, Orange County’s registrar of voters.
Honda Center will be a one-stop voting location from October 30 through Election Day, Nov. 3.
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“We’re going to have a very large setup inside of the Honda Center,” Kelley said, “as well as drive-through lanes in the parking lot.”
Honda Center becomes the third major Southland sports venue announced as a polling place, joining Dodger Stadium and Staples Center. In a statement, Kelley called Honda Center “an identifiable location that can accommodate a large number of voters while maintaining social distancing and health and safety protocols.”
“Together, Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks are committed to doing our part in assisting our community,” said Tim Ryan, chief executive of the Honda Center, in a statement. “We are thrilled that Honda Center will serve as a polling location, providing a unique voting experience.”
Since the Ducks last played in March, Honda Center has been a community gathering place for such events as pop-up weddings and drive-thru food distributions.
Kelley said he has not talked with the Angels about the possibility of setting up a polling place at Angel Stadium. The Honda Center plan has been in the works for some time, he said, and Angel Stadium sits just on the other side of the 57 Freeway.


latimes--2020-09-01--Following test results dust-up, California to unveil a new COVID-19 reporting system in October

A month after a state public health computer database failure caused the distortion of COVID-19 test results across California and disrupted the state ’ s response to the pandemic , the Newsom administration on Tuesday announced that a new reporting system will be online in October .
The state signed a contract with software company OptumInsight Inc. for a database that will handle all COVID-19 testing results , replacing the troubled California Reportable Disease Information Exchange , or CalREDIE .
Because of a glitch in that system in late July , up to 300,000 test results had not been uploaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effectiveness of the state ‘ s actions taken to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
Dr. Mark Ghaly , California ’ s health and human services director , said the new data repository will be “ robust ” enough to ensure that the state has the testing information necessary to adequately respond to the pandemic .
“ Hopefully we close some of the information gaps that we have on demographic information , ” Ghaly said in a Tuesday news conference .
“ Really enhancing the state ’ s ability to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but to understand some of the more detailed , nuanced pieces.
” The state Department of Public Health signed a six-month $ 15.3-million contract with OptumInsight to create the data system .
The state used federal grant funds to pay for the contract .
Ghaly said the CalREDIE system was never designed to handle the tens of thousands of test results coming into the state every day .
That database also receives all data on other reportable diseases filed by local public health officials .
Without an accurate picture of confirmed cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CalREDIE system had to conduct their own tallies to understand how the virus spread in their communities .
The caseload of COVID-19 testing results is expected to nearly double in the months ahead .
Last week , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced a $ 1.6-billion contract with an East Coast medical diagnostics company to double the number of coronavirus tests that can be processed in the state , eventually expanding capacity to roughly a quarter-million tests per day .

Cars line up at a COVID-19 test site at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 12 in Los Angeles.
A month after a state public health computer database failure caused the distortion of COVID-19 test results across California and disrupted the state’s response to the pandemic, the Newsom administration on Tuesday announced that a new reporting system will be online in October.
The state signed a contract with software company OptumInsight Inc. for a database that will handle all COVID-19 testing results, replacing the troubled California Reportable Disease Information Exchange, or CalREDIE.
Because of a glitch in that system in late July, up to 300,000 test results had not been uploaded to the database, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the state‘s actions taken to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s health and human services director, said the new data repository will be “robust” enough to ensure that the state has the testing information necessary to adequately respond to the pandemic.
“Hopefully we close some of the information gaps that we have on demographic information,” Ghaly said in a Tuesday news conference. “Really enhancing the state’s ability to not just see where transmission is happening, but to understand some of the more detailed, nuanced pieces.”
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The state Department of Public Health signed a six-month $15.3-million contract with OptumInsight to create the data system. The state used federal grant funds to pay for the contract.
Ghaly said the CalREDIE system was never designed to handle the tens of thousands of test results coming into the state every day. That database also receives all data on other reportable diseases filed by local public health officials.
Without an accurate picture of confirmed cases, many local officials who rely on the CalREDIE system had to conduct their own tallies to understand how the virus spread in their communities.
The caseload of COVID-19 testing results is expected to nearly double in the months ahead. Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $1.6-billion contract with an East Coast medical diagnostics company to double the number of coronavirus tests that can be processed in the state, eventually expanding capacity to roughly a quarter-million tests per day.


latimes--2020-09-01--Prosecutors review actions of 4 LAPD officers at protests; LAPD investigates camera use

Prosecutors are reviewing allegations of misconduct by four Los Angeles police officers during protests in the city in early June , according to law enforcement officials .
The LAPD also is investigating why some police supervisors told officers to take off their body cameras during the protests , officials said .
No charges had been filed as of Tuesday , but staff in L.A. County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey ’ s Justice System Integrity Division are reviewing the four officers ’ actions after being forwarded their names by LAPD internal affairs detectives , officials said Tuesday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an LAPD spokesman , said the four officers were involved in an arrest for an alleged curfew violation on June 1 in Van Nuys .
The city was under nightly curfews at the time in response to widespread protests of police brutality against Black people , and due to other acts of arson , burglary , and vandalism at and around the protests , including that day in the Van Nuys area .
Rubenstein declined to name the officers , citing rules against the release of personnel information , but said each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the resolution of the case .
Lacey ’ s office confirmed a case involving four officers has been presented to prosecutors , and is “ under review.
” Rubenstein said internal affairs had initially reviewed the actions of 10 officers involved in the incident , though only four were referred to Lacey ’ s office .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore has previously said that several officers were under investigation by internal affairs after they surrounded and smashed the window of a car in Van Nuys on June 1 .
Rubenstein said he believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the referral to Lacey ’ s office .
The elevation of the case to Lacey ’ s office is the most serious outcome to date from hundreds of complaints about police misconduct during the unrest .
Police released information about the referral Tuesday after a commander made a passing reference to it during a Police Commission meeting and The Times asked for details .
LAPD Deputy Chief Robert Marino , who oversees internal affairs , told the Police Commission that his office had received hundreds of complaints about officers ’ protest conduct via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 individual officers stood accused of some violation in total — including 55 instances of alleged excessive force .
Only the one case had been referred to Lacey ’ s office , he said , though other investigations are ongoing .
Nearly 1,000 hours of body-worn camera footage has been reviewed by internal affairs investigators , he said .
The investigations are all being shared with the department ’ s inspector general , Marino said , and the department has said it is conducting a comprehensive after-action review of the protests and its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also hired the National Police Foundation to conduct another review .
The actions of police during the protests are the subject of several lawsuits alleging excessive force , including a substantial class-action lawsuit that alleges police badly injured protesters using projectiles and batons .
An investigation by The Times found that many protesters were injured , some seriously , as a result of police efforts to clear large gatherings that police had labeled unlawful .
Police have released body-camera footage from several of those incidents , showing intense standoffs between protesters and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protester kick an officer before being shot with a projectile in his groin , which ruptured one of his testicles .
Another video showed a protester standing some distance from police with his hands in the air being shot in the head .
After Commissioner Dale Bonner asked Tuesday about the existence of body-worn camera footage from the skirmish lines , Marino said that his investigators reviewing complaints of misconduct had identified some instances where officers ’ cameras were off .
Marino said that , by department policy , officers on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , but some had been in the field for extended periods of time and the batteries on their cameras had been drained .
“ Officers have been out on that skirmish line for multiple hours where their body-worn camera is no longer holding that charge or being activated , ” Marino said .
Most cameras in use by the department have a battery life of 12 hours .
Department policy states that officers whose cameras are not working should report that to a supervisor and get a new camera before returning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that wasn ’ t possible during the protests .
“ The dynamic and changing nature of the civil unrest required officers to maintain their positions on the skirmish line for extensive periods of time without the ability to leave their posts , ” an LAPD spokeswoman said in July .
In other instances , “ some of the officers were directed by their supervisor to secure their cameras in their vehicles due to concerns of the cameras being knocked off their uniforms during encounters with protesters , ” the spokeswoman said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the entire department was mobilized during the unrest — forcing officers to remain on their posts at the end of their shifts — showed the need for officers on the streets and made it “ impractical to remove an officer from a skirmish line solely because of a dead battery in a camera.
” However , supervisors should not have told officers to leave their cameras in their cars , Rubenstein said — and the department is investigating those directives as violations of policy and to determine why they were given .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had identified any instances where officers had deliberately turned off their cameras when they were still functional .
Rubenstein said he did not know if any deliberate shutoffs had been identified .

Prosecutors are reviewing the actions of four LAPD officers during recent protests. Above, LAPD headquarters.
Prosecutors are reviewing allegations of misconduct by four Los Angeles police officers during protests in the city in early June, according to law enforcement officials.
The LAPD also is investigating why some police supervisors told officers to take off their body cameras during the protests, officials said.
No charges had been filed as of Tuesday, but staff in L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey’s Justice System Integrity Division are reviewing the four officers’ actions after being forwarded their names by LAPD internal affairs detectives, officials said Tuesday. The division investigates police misconduct.
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Josh Rubenstein, an LAPD spokesman, said the four officers were involved in an arrest for an alleged curfew violation on June 1 in Van Nuys. The city was under nightly curfews at the time in response to widespread protests of police brutality against Black people, and due to other acts of arson, burglary, and vandalism at and around the protests, including that day in the Van Nuys area.
Rubenstein declined to name the officers, citing rules against the release of personnel information, but said each had been assigned to non-field duties pending the resolution of the case.
Lacey’s office confirmed a case involving four officers has been presented to prosecutors, and is “under review.”
Rubenstein said internal affairs had initially reviewed the actions of 10 officers involved in the incident, though only four were referred to Lacey’s office.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore has previously said that several officers were under investigation by internal affairs after they surrounded and smashed the window of a car in Van Nuys on June 1. Rubenstein said he believed that is the same incident that prompted the referral to Lacey’s office.
The elevation of the case to Lacey’s office is the most serious outcome to date from hundreds of complaints about police misconduct during the unrest.
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Police released information about the referral Tuesday after a commander made a passing reference to it during a Police Commission meeting and The Times asked for details.
LAPD Deputy Chief Robert Marino, who oversees internal affairs, told the Police Commission that his office had received hundreds of complaints about officers’ protest conduct via calls and emails, and that nearly 100 individual officers stood accused of some violation in total — including 55 instances of alleged excessive force.
Only the one case had been referred to Lacey’s office, he said, though other investigations are ongoing. Nearly 1,000 hours of body-worn camera footage has been reviewed by internal affairs investigators, he said.
The investigations are all being shared with the department’s inspector general, Marino said, and the department has said it is conducting a comprehensive after-action review of the protests and its handling of them. The Police Commission also hired the National Police Foundation to conduct another review.
The actions of police during the protests are the subject of several lawsuits alleging excessive force, including a substantial class-action lawsuit that alleges police badly injured protesters using projectiles and batons. An investigation by The Times found that many protesters were injured, some seriously, as a result of police efforts to clear large gatherings that police had labeled unlawful.
Police have released body-camera footage from several of those incidents, showing intense standoffs between protesters and police on skirmish lines. One video showed a protester kick an officer before being shot with a projectile in his groin, which ruptured one of his testicles. Another video showed a protester standing some distance from police with his hands in the air being shot in the head.
After Commissioner Dale Bonner asked Tuesday about the existence of body-worn camera footage from the skirmish lines, Marino said that his investigators reviewing complaints of misconduct had identified some instances where officers’ cameras were off.
Marino said that, by department policy, officers on the skirmish lines should have had their cameras on, but some had been in the field for extended periods of time and the batteries on their cameras had been drained.
“Officers have been out on that skirmish line for multiple hours where their body-worn camera is no longer holding that charge or being activated,” Marino said.
Most cameras in use by the department have a battery life of 12 hours.
Department policy states that officers whose cameras are not working should report that to a supervisor and get a new camera before returning to the streets. However, officials have said that wasn’t possible during the protests.
“The dynamic and changing nature of the civil unrest required officers to maintain their positions on the skirmish line for extensive periods of time without the ability to leave their posts,” an LAPD spokeswoman said in July.
In other instances, “some of the officers were directed by their supervisor to secure their cameras in their vehicles due to concerns of the cameras being knocked off their uniforms during encounters with protesters,” the spokeswoman said.
On Tuesday, Rubenstein said the fact that the entire department was mobilized during the unrest — forcing officers to remain on their posts at the end of their shifts — showed the need for officers on the streets and made it “impractical to remove an officer from a skirmish line solely because of a dead battery in a camera.”
However, supervisors should not have told officers to leave their cameras in their cars, Rubenstein said — and the department is investigating those directives as violations of policy and to determine why they were given.
Marino did not say whether his investigators had identified any instances where officers had deliberately turned off their cameras when they were still functional. Rubenstein said he did not know if any deliberate shutoffs had been identified.


latimes--2020-09-01--Prosecutors file assault, robbery charges in attack on transgender women in Hollywood

Los Angeles County prosecutors filed assault and robbery charges Tuesday against two of the men linked to a brutal attack on a group of transgender women in Hollywood last month that was caught on video and labeled a hate crime , authorities said .
Carlton Callaway , 29 , and Davion Williams , 22 , will face charges including robbery and assault in connection with the Aug. 17 attack in the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard , according to a news release issued by the L.A. County district attorney ’ s office .
Eden the Doll , a transgender Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was on the Walk of Fame with Jaslene Whiterose and Joslyn Flawless around 2 a.m. when a man began to threaten them , according to a widely viewed video of the incident that was published to social media .
In the video , a man can be seen threatening Flawless with a crowbar as he robbed her before striking Whiterose over the head .
Onlookers can be heard heckling and taunting the women throughout the ordeal .
Callaway , a Compton resident , was charged with six criminal counts including robbery , assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Compton , was charged with assault and grand theft .
Each man was charged under a hate crime enhancement after police alleged they made derogatory comments about the victims ’ gender identities during the alleged attack .
Callaway was arrested in mid-August by police in Bakersfield , but was released a few days later when prosecutors referred the case back for further investigation .
Callaway ’ s release from jail drew outrage among the LGBTQ community after Eden the Doll posted a recording of her conversation with an LAPD detective about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the call , the detective was highly critical of prosecutors ’ handling of the case .
The investigation is now being handled by LAPD ’ s elite Robbery-Homicide Division .
Callaway and Williams were not in custody as of Tuesday afternoon , though officials were trying to arrange their surrender through their attorneys , according to Capt .
Jonathan Tippet , who heads Robbery-Homicide Division .
A court date has not been scheduled .
Michael Curls , who is representing Callaway , questioned the validity of the hate-crime allegation .
Curls pointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the derogatory remarks about the victims ’ gender were being made by the crowd of onlookers instead .
“ I ’ m disappointed that the district attorney went forward with a hate crime allegation , ” he said .
“ It seems to me that for the two weeks that they looked [ at this case ] , that they believed there was some question this evolved to a hate crime given the evidence I know they had in their position when the decision was made.
” Callaway and Williams did not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not clear if Williams had retained an attorney .
A spokesman for the district attorney ’ s office did not immediately respond to a request for further comment .
The district attorney ’ s office rejected charges against a third suspect arrested in the case , according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the situation .
Los Angeles police arrested Willie Walker , a 42-year-old homeless man , two days after the assault and accused him of trying to extort the women .
The official , who spoke to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to discuss an ongoing investigation , said Walker ’ s actions failed to meet the threshold of a crime , as he did not try to use “ force or fear ” against the women , but offered only to recover their property in exchange for money .

Tourists stop to take pictures on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Two men face multiple charges in connection with an attack on a group of transgender women at the Walk of Fame last month.
Los Angeles County prosecutors filed assault and robbery charges Tuesday against two of the men linked to a brutal attack on a group of transgender women in Hollywood last month that was caught on video and labeled a hate crime, authorities said.
Carlton Callaway, 29, and Davion Williams, 22, will face charges including robbery and assault in connection with the Aug. 17 attack in the 6500 block of Hollywood Boulevard, according to a news release issued by the L.A. County district attorney’s office.
Eden the Doll, a transgender Instagram influencer with a massive online following, was on the Walk of Fame with Jaslene Whiterose and Joslyn Flawless around 2 a.m. when a man began to threaten them, according to a widely viewed video of the incident that was published to social media. In the video, a man can be seen threatening Flawless with a crowbar as he robbed her before striking Whiterose over the head. Onlookers can be heard heckling and taunting the women throughout the ordeal.
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Callaway, a Compton resident, was charged with six criminal counts including robbery, assault and grand theft. Williams, also of Compton, was charged with assault and grand theft. Each man was charged under a hate crime enhancement after police alleged they made derogatory comments about the victims’ gender identities during the alleged attack.
Callaway was arrested in mid-August by police in Bakersfield, but was released a few days later when prosecutors referred the case back for further investigation. Callaway’s release from jail drew outrage among the LGBTQ community after Eden the Doll posted a recording of her conversation with an LAPD detective about the case to her 462,000 Instagram followers.
In the call, the detective was highly critical of prosecutors’ handling of the case. The investigation is now being handled by LAPD’s elite Robbery-Homicide Division.
Callaway and Williams were not in custody as of Tuesday afternoon, though officials were trying to arrange their surrender through their attorneys, according to Capt. Jonathan Tippet, who heads Robbery-Homicide Division. A court date has not been scheduled.
Michael Curls, who is representing Callaway, questioned the validity of the hate-crime allegation. Curls pointed to footage of the attack and said the derogatory remarks about the victims’ gender were being made by the crowd of onlookers instead.
“I’m disappointed that the district attorney went forward with a hate crime allegation,” he said. “It seems to me that for the two weeks that they looked [at this case], that they believed there was some question this evolved to a hate crime given the evidence I know they had in their position when the decision was made.”
Callaway and Williams did not know each other, Curls said. It was not clear if Williams had retained an attorney. A spokesman for the district attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
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The district attorney’s office rejected charges against a third suspect arrested in the case, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the situation.
Los Angeles police arrested Willie Walker, a 42-year-old homeless man, two days after the assault and accused him of trying to extort the women. The official, who spoke to The Times on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss an ongoing investigation, said Walker’s actions failed to meet the threshold of a crime, as he did not try to use “force or fear” against the women, but offered only to recover their property in exchange for money.