As trust in LAPD is tested, Hollenbeck officers seek community feedback

This story was originally published by Boyle Heights Beat on August 25, 2025.

As tensions between law enforcement and residents continue to rise in parts of Los Angeles, officers at the Hollenbeck Community Police Station are asking residents to share their thoughts on public safety, trust and policing in the Hollenbeck area.

The station launched a 19-question Resident Engagement Survey that asks about perception of crime and safety, trust and level of engagement with local police, suggestions for creating a safer area and opinions about LAPD’s use of force at recent protests.

The survey is part of an LAPD-wide effort that began several months ago to better understand community needs. But it comes at a time when many in Boyle Heights and surrounding neighborhoods are grappling with distrust in law enforcement.

LAPD Hollenbeck grapples with a summer of fear and a police killing

Since June, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids intensified throughout the city and county, LAPD policy and actions have come under increased scrutiny from residents and civil rights organizations. While LAPD has a long-standing policy against assisting federal agents in immigration enforcement operations, officers have provided crowd control at raid locations — a move that sparked concern among immigrant rights advocates and community members.

At the protests that followed immigration raids in early June residents and news media filmed LAPD officers, along with officers from other law enforcement agencies pushing, hitting and shooting demonstrators using tear gas, foam projectiles and horses from LAPD’s mounted platoon. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, a month after the height of protest activity, the LAPD’s Professional Standards Bureau was investigating 86 incidents of alleged police misconduct, the majority of which were for possible excessive force by officers.

“The process for investigating and potentially disciplining officers is complex in the state of California and the city of Los Angeles,” said Dr. Erroll G. Southers, president of the LAPD Board of Police Commissioners, at their June meeting following LAPD’s response.

The survey includes three questions related to the LAPD’s protest response, asking residents their opinions about the use of force against protesters.

Community shaken by fatal Boyle Heights shooting

Members of Centro CSO protest police killings at LAPD’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025.

(

Andrew Lopez

/

Boyle Heights Beat

)

ICE raids and protest response have not been the only events straining bonds between the police and community. Here in Boyle Heights, LAPD Hollenbeck officers shot and killed 26-year-old Jeremy Flores on July 14 while responding to a report of a man armed with a rifle. Police confirmed after Flores’ death that he was holding an Airsoft gun, not a rifle.

The Hollenbeck station’s National Night Out event, a few weeks after the shooting, was met with mixed community reaction. Some expressed support for the local officers and their efforts to reach out to the community. That sentiment stood in stark contrast to the chants of “Jail killer cops!” from Centro CSO, a Boyle Heights-based grassroots organization.

Survey aims to build trust and engagement

Hollenbeck’s Community Relations Sergeant Veronica Padilla said the department is actively seeking more feedback from residents.

“We want to respond to the community and see how we can help their quality of life,” Padilla said. She said she reviews the survey results monthly to better understand community needs. So far, responses have been low, but Padilla said officers at the station will be promoting the survey at community meetings, local coffee shops and on the station’s social media.

Padilla currently shares updates at the Hollenbeck Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) meetings, hosted monthly. In July, survey respondents expressed concern about homelessness and theft, Padilla said.

How to attend a Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) meeting

The Hollenbeck Community Police Station hosts its Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) meeting on the third Wednesday of the month, on Zoom and at the Hollenbeck station. Interested residents can email Community Relations Sergeant Veronica Padilla for more information and to get access to the Zoom link.

• The next Hollenbeck CPAB meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17 at 5:00 p.m. 
• You can read notes from the July CPAB meeting at losangeles.documenters.org

Where to give LAPD feedback

Do you have thoughts about crime, safety, police policy or conduct? There are three places where the LAPD invites public feedback on its operations.

1. You can fill out the recently launched Resident Engagement Survey to let your local station know your thoughts about public safety, trust and policing. 
2. You can attend a Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) meeting in person or online where Senior Lead Officers provide local updates and hear feedback from community members. Next meeting: Sept. 17 at 5:00 p.m.
3. You can also attend a Board of Police Commissioners meeting in person or online where commissioners provide updates on LAPD policy, practices and hear feedback from members of the public. Next meeting: Aug. 26 at 9:30 a.m.