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.
Villanueva Responds To Criticism About Deputies Not Wearing Masks
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. (L.A. Sheriff's Department)
L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva responded today to criticism that many of his deputies aren't wearing masks, saying it's "not easy," given all the gear they wear and carry as they respond to incidents in the heat of summer.
Inspector General Max Hunstman sent the Board of Supervisors a letter in which he chastised the Sheriff's Department for the many instances in which deputies have been seen or videotaped unmasked.
"It's our concern too, the use of the masks," Villanueva said during an online question-and-answer session today. "Deputies have been responding to fires, civil unrest and murder scenes ... in this extreme heat, there's a lot of concern about wearing the masks in addition to all the other restrictive gear the deputies are wearing."
Villanueva went on:
"Between the vests, the 15-pound belts, helmets, shields, all these things, the physical exertion in the field, not easy. But they need to wear them whenever they can, that means when they're contacting civilians [and] citizens, when they're in buildings, they need to throw those masks on, and we're working hard to enforce that."
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
