The Brief

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass has asked the City Council to increase the Los Angeles Police Department’s budget by $4.4 million to hire 410 more officers before July.

In a letter to council members yesterday, Bass wrote that the city needs to have enough officers to keep Angelenos safe in coming years, including during major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell made a similar argument at a Budget and Finance Commission meeting Tuesday, where he said that despite the city’s budget problems, he worries about whether L.A. will be prepared for the Olympics in 2028 under currently approved staffing.

Several City Council members have already been pushing back against the proposal, arguing that the budget for those positions was negotiated and signed by Bass in June.

“The council and the mayor signed a budget that included 240 new hires,” Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky said at the Budget and Finance Commission meeting on Tuesday. “The department chose to hire that full 240 in the first six months of this year.”

“Our job is to keep the city safe. We also have a responsibility to keep it solvent,” Yaroslavsky told LAist in an emailed statement. “I want to grow the police department, but I have yet to see a proposal that identifies an ongoing funding source to pay for more officers.”

LAPD Officers line up in preparation to form a skirmish line in front of protesters near the federal detention facility in downtown L.A. on June 7, 2025.

(

Jordan Rynning

/

LAist

)

LAPD hiring goals twice as high as current budget

Mayor Bass initially proposed a budget back in April recommending funding to support 480 new LAPD officers.

The final budget was a compromise reached by the City Council that approved hiring 240 new recruits in the midst of a budget crisis and attempts to reduce layoffs across the city. According to a press release on June 7, the day after she signed the final budget, Bass announced a plan to find additional funding within 90 days to bring the total LAPD hires to 480.

The funding never materialized and no additional positions have yet been approved.

LAPD has already hit its hiring cap of 240 new officers, according to a letter from the city personnel department.

The city’s most recent financial status report filed on Dec. 5 by City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo says if LAPD continues hiring at its current pace, the department would add 410 new sworn officers and exceed the plan previously budgeted.

The report shows that costs of the additional 410 officers would be expected to exceed $4.4 million through June, then about $23.7 million in the next fiscal year.

Chief McDonnell spoke to council members at the Budget and Finance Committee about the pace of hiring, and said that the department did what it was “told to do.”

“Our understanding was . . . that we would be able to hire an additional 240 if we hired 240 in the first six months,” McDonnell said, “we did that.”

The department cannot continue hiring without the additional positions requested by Bass.

Show me the money

At Tuesday’s Budget and Finance meeting, Councilmember Tim McOsker asked Szabo whether any funds had ever been identified to fill those positions.

“There has not been a formal report issued to this body identifying funds for additional hiring above what is in the budget,” Szabo replied.

“Is there any proposal — any sort of competent, grown up, adult proposal — for how we pay for this?” McOsker, who also chairs the Personnel and Hiring Committee, asked in a follow up question to Szabo.

“Not that I'm aware of,” Szabo replied. He said his office would be happy to identify reductions to fund additional hiring, but had not been instructed to do so.

That means the proposed hires would need to come from the city’s reserve funds, which Szabo’s office cautioned against.

“The impact of this overspending in 2025-26 and 2026-27 cannot be overlooked,” his office’s financial status report states, “as it represents a departure from the approved plan with likely repercussions to the City’s Reserve Fund.”

The reserve fund currently sits at 5.06 percent of the total general fund budget, according to the report, but overspending — primarily driven by LAPD and liability payments — could bring the reserve fund below emergency levels of 5 percent.

“We should never, as a practice, assume the use of the reserve fund for hiring police officers,” Szabo told the Budget and Finance Committee. “The reserve fund is there for unexpected circumstances.”

In an emailed statement provided to LAist, McOsker said he agrees with the mayor that public safety is the highest priority.

“I agreed with the Mayor six months ago when she originally proposed this saying she would work with Council Leadership to find the money to fund more officers.” McOsker said, “But six months later, this remains a proposal with no funding identification.”

Bass told Larry Mantle on AirTalk that the city is looking at “every account possible” to find money for more officers, and that not approving more hiring will also have a financial cost.

“ Either we hire new officers or we continue to spend millions and millions of dollars in overtime,” she said.

Listen to the interview

Hermon just got its first sit-down restaurant.

If you've never heard of the Northeast Los Angeles neighborhood tucked between Highland Park and El Sereno, you're not alone. Unless you live there or regularly navigate the Arroyo Seco, Hermon tends to fly under the radar.

While its hip neighbors have seen wave after wave of restaurant openings, this 3,500-resident community has remained untouched. Until now.

Opened Dec. 3, Hermon's sits on the main stretch of Monterey Road, the latest venture from Last Word Hospitality — the restaurant group behind Found Oyster, Barra Santos, Queen's Raw Bar & Grill and Rasarumah. Founded in 2014 by Holly Fox and Adam Weisblatt, the group partners with chefs and hospitality professionals, helping them become restaurant owners.

The neighborhood of Hermon was founded in 1903 by a Free Methodist Church group and named after the biblical Mount Hermon. Annexed into Los Angeles in 1912, Hermon has grown quietly as a primarily residential area. But it remains one of Northeast LA's last underserved neighborhoods, with limited amenities and stores. Anyone interested in dining out was restricted to takeout spots at the Fresco Community Market shopping center.

From banquet hall to bar seats

The 89-seat restaurant occupies a former banquet hall that belonged to the Free Methodist Church, with Art Deco bones in a decidedly Craftsman neighborhood. The all-booth dining room features a U-shaped bar, handmade California tilework, hickory floors and vintage artwork spanning centuries.

Fox spent five years pursuing the building, drawn to its corner location and architectural details. The landlord initially resisted, citing risk, but came around after detailed presentations and tours of Barra Santos and Queen's. The next stop was the Hermon Neighborhood Council. Fox's team pitched in the space itself, emphasizing architectural restoration. The clincher? The name.

"The first thing she said to me was, 'The smartest thing you've done is name it Hermon,'" Fox recalled of the council president's reaction. "'You saw a community and you said, "Let's build a reflection of who they are."'"

Inside Hermon’s: a softly lit, wood-lined dining room that nods to classic L.A. dining rooms while feeling firmly rooted in the Hermon community.

(

Courtesy Hermon's

)

Community goal

Gentrification concerns — common at Last Word's other openings — never surfaced. Instead, Fox said the community seemed eager to be recognized.

Nicole Mihalka, president of the Hermon Neighborhood Council, said the name itself was significant for the small community.

"Not a lot of people know what Hermon is, but now if there's this great restaurant that's a destination with Hermon in the name, they're going to have to find out," she said.

The opening fulfills a long-standing community goal. In 2018, when the Hermon Neighborhood Council asked residents what they wanted to see more of in the neighborhood, the answer was clear: walkable retail and amenities, including restaurants and cafes.

The story illustrates Last Word Hospitality's intentional approach to developing "in-between" neighborhoods rather than adding to already-saturated dining corridors.

Opening with a happy hour was non-negotiable for Fox — a signal from day one that Hermon's is built for locals. Running daily until 6 p.m., there are $10 martinis and food specials priced between $6-8 that include garlic bread, marinated olives and loaded potato fritters. Fox said happy hour sales already match the next two hours combined, proving the pricing strategy is working for neighborhood regulars.

The menu

Chef/partner DK Kolender, whose résumé includes Tartine and Dudley's Market, leads the kitchen with a New American bar and grill menu, offering polished crowd-pleasers with an edge.

Kolender is most excited about the two-sheet lasagna vongole ($36) — clams, cream, guanciale, parmesan and breadcrumbs layered between fresh pasta made daily. The dish evolved from a clam toast he made at Dudley's Market, after weeks of developing a verde lasagna that never quite landed.

A closer look at the Ode to Chez burger — char, melt and a little sauce drip for good measure.

(

Jim Sullivan

/

Courtesy Hermon's

)

Hermon’s two-sheet lasagna vongole, layering clams, cream, guanciale, parmesan and breadcrumbs into a rich, flat-sheet presentation.

(

Courtesy Hermon's

)

The Ode to Chez cheeseburger ($24) — originally created for a Malibu project lost in the Palisades fires — features soubise fondue studded with green peppercorns, bordelaise onions, Dijon and a sesame milk bun developed with Kolender's former team at Tartine. Skip the $6 fries and opt instead for the loaded potato fritters ($16), topped with cream cheese, bacon and parmesan. It's the kind of indulgence that doesn't leave you weighed down.

Hermon’s loaded potato fritter: golden, layered potatoes crowned with a snowfall of grated cheese.

(

Jim Sullivan

/

Courtesy Hermon's

)

Since the opening, Kolender says the response has been overwhelming.

"We've had people who live down the street here two, three times already," he said. "We know them by name."

For Fox, it's unprecedented.

"I have never opened a restaurant with this much support," she said. "It's an unbelievable feeling."

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges Thursday against five men accused of engaging in unlicensed contracting work in the Eaton Fire burn zone.

In a news conference, Hochman said unlicensed contractors may promise to rebuild destroyed homes faster and cheaper, but they can expose homeowners to faulty workmanship, liability for worker injuries and sometimes outright theft.

“This increases the likelihood of fraud,” Hochman said. “You’re going to give them a whole bunch of money upfront, and you may never see them again.”

The five men charged are:

• Daniel Escarzaga, 28
• Andrew Escarzaga, 27
• Edgar Geovanni Lopez Revolorio, 42 
• Melvin Hairon Mejia Ordonez, 41
• Guillermo Ramirez, 54

The defendants have not yet been arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to prosecutors. It’s not yet clear if each has an attorney.

In four separate complaints, the district attorney alleges the men were contracting without licenses during a natural disaster, a felony violation of California’s business and professions code.

Hochman said an investigation by his office found the men knew they were operating without a license but held out their services to fire victims anyway.

Rebuilding is just getting underway for many families. Most have yet to break ground, but a small group of homeowners already have rebuilt structures lost during the fire.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, said at the news conference that homeowners should turn to vetted lists of licensed contractors as they map out their plans.

“Hiring unlicensed contractors often ends up costing more in the long run,” she said.

Hochman said the defendants are expected to be arraigned Jan. 8.

This story was originally published by Boyle Heights Beat on Dec. 4, 2025.

Ever wanted to walk or bike down some of City Terrace’s most iconic avenues or catch breathtaking views of downtown from the hills of East L.A. — all on car-free streets?

Camino City Terrace, an event modeled after CicLAvia, is your chance.

On Dec. 13 and 14, about 1.6 miles of East LA roads will be open to pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and runners of all skill levels. The event is organized by L.A. County in partnership with Metro.

Several streets will be closed, and organizers are recommending specific parking locations for residents affected by the closures.

Here’s what to know ahead of the inaugural event.

When and what time is the event?

Camino City Terrace will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14.

What streets will be closed?

City Terrace Drive between Ditman Avenue and Van Pelt Avenue will be closed to car traffic during the event. Hazard Avenue between City Terrace Drive and Dobinson Street will also be closed to car traffic.

What time are street closures in effect?

Streets will begin closing at 7 a.m., and residents whose cars are parked along the event route should have their vehicles moved by then.

Streets will reopen as soon as possible after the event ends at 3 p.m., but no later than 7 p.m., according to a county spokesperson.

Vehicles parked on the event route after 7 a.m. on Dec. 13 and 14 may be ticketed and possibly towed.

Parking is tough in East LA. Will any lots be open for neighbors impacted?

Yes. The county is working to secure free resident parking between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14 at Harrison, Kennedy and Anton elementary schools, as well as on Marengo Street between City Terrace Drive and Evergreen Avenue.

There will also be vehicle parking for residents at the parking lot at City Terrace Park.

Can I ride my e-bike? And are there any other types of vehicle restrictions?

The county encourages everyone on e-bikes to turn off their motors and pedal along.

Bikes, skateboards, scooters, skates and other people-powered vehicles are allowed. Motorized wheelchairs and mobility devices for people with disabilities are also permitted.

Will I be able to drive across the closed streets in City Terrace?

Yes. The intersection of City Terrace Drive and Pomeroy Street will allow car crossing during the event. Additionally, the intersection of Snow Drive and Hazard Avenue will allow cars to cross the closed route.

Will Camino City Terrace have activity hubs?

There will be three hubs with vendors and services for attendees to enjoy:

• The Ditman Hub will be at Ditman Avenue and City Terrace Drive.
• The 323 Food and Flea will be located at the corner of City Terrace Drive and Hazard Avenue.
• The City Terrace Park Hub will be near the park’s parking lot.

Community members can enjoy a diverse selection of activities, including holiday programming at City Terrace Park where Santa will be stationed for photo-ops. Walk ‘n Rollers will have a bike skills rodeo and helmet giveaway at the Ditman Hub, according to an L.A. County spokesperson.

For more information, email mail@carsla.net or call (213) 365-0605