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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.
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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.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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