Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Police Station in Boyle Heights Renamed, but not Without Controversy
At the Grand Opening of the new police station last September | Photo via the Boyle Heights Historical Society
The L.A. City Council yesterday voted to rename an Eastside police station from the Hollenbeck Police Station to the Rudy de Leon/Hollenbeck Station. But it wasn't without a lenghty public comment period where an outpouring of residents spoke up on both sides of the issue.
"It's very disrespectful," one resident told the council. "Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck donated a lot of land in the community. 8th Street was once called Hollenbeck." John Edward Hollenbeck moved to California in the late 1800s and purchased land by the L.A. River, according to the folks at Wikipedia. He was instrumental in urging the state to purchase Exposition Park, which back then was called Agriculture Park (to support agriculture in an urban area).
As for Rudy de Leon, who died a few weeks after the new station opened last September, many residents were upset it wasn't initially named after him then. "He was the first captain at a time when we really had gangs," explained Teresa Marcus, a 5th generation Boyle Heights resident. "Gangs were all over and we were afraid to walk, even during the day. He reached out to the youth in his own way, he envisioned bringing the youth to the community and talking to them. He earned the respect of the community."
Leon served on the LAPD for 31 years and was known for beginning a youth boxing program in the basement of the old station.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
