With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
LA County Supervisors Vote Out Villanueva As Head Of Emergency Operations
A screenshot of Sheriff Alex Villanueva at a press conference on COVID-19 Monday, March 16, 2020. (L.A. County Sheriff's Department)
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion this morning to remove L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva as the head of the county's emergency operations center.
Villanueva, who called into the board meeting, has repeatedly called the decision a "power grab" being played out during an unprecedented global health pandemic.
He says the decision was “irresponsible,” and “a brazen attempt to consolidate power.”
Sponsored message
“The pattern is very clear: When in trouble, you will build more bureaucracy,” he said.
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said the plan has been in the works for more than a year. A task force convened after the 2018 Woolsey Fire recommended putting the county's emergency management office in charge during disasters.
The motion allows the county chief executive officer to direct disaster preparation and response.
"I would respectfully indicate to the sheriff that this is not about him," Kuehl said, indicating that the switch is in line with national emergency management best practices.
Villanueva maintains that he and his staff were unaware of the potential change.
Kuehl says two-thirds of California counties have shifted to a system where emergency operations are coordinated and controlled by an agency other than law enforcement.
Sponsored message
"It has nothing to do with vendettas or anything like that," said Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
The vote was originally scheduled for two weeks ago, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Today's approval was just the latest flareup in the supervisors’ long-running feud with Villanueva. They’ve fought him on his decision to rehire several fired deputies, on his discipline policies and on transparency issues.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why 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. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why 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. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
