Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LAPD veteran will lead UCLA safety office
UCLA's response to student protesters drew widespread criticism.
(
Brian Feinzimer
/
For LAist
)
Topline:
UCLA has picked LAPD veteran Steve Lurie to lead its office of campus and community safety.
Why it matters: The office oversees the UCLA police chief and reports directly to the UCLA chancellor, a change made after UCLA and outside police agencies cleared protestors’ encampment in May 2024. An independent audit released in November 2024 found that miscommunication between UCLA’s top leaders and outside police agencies before the encampment was cleared and 200 arrests were carried out.
LAPD experience: Prior to this appointment, Lurie worked for the LAPD for 27 years, most recently serving as assistant commanding officer of West Bureau. According to an LAPD review of its own role in the UCLA protests, Lurie helped coordinate the police response to campus unrest.
Support for LAist comes from
Protestors want different approach: UCLA Professor Graeme Blair, with the group Faculty for Justice in Palestine, told LAist that the clearing the encampment in May violated free speech rights and said the group opposed Lurie’s appointment, seeing it as a continuation of a hard-line approach to protestors.
Go deeper:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist