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Listen Listen
Robert Garrova
What I cover
I’m always on the hunt for esoteric history and strange haunts since my first LAist/KPCC internship over a decade ago. And I break down complicated mental health stories in a place where the L.A. County jail is the de-facto mental health institution and the system of care can feel intractable.
My background
I started at LAist as an intern back in 2013. My public media journey includes time directing Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal and being very cold as a reporter in New Hampshire.
My goals
I want my coverage to fascinate and surprise SoCal residents, even the ones who have been here the longest. And I want my mental health stories to help people living with mental illness and their families understand complicated systems of care while feeling less alone in their journey.
Best way to reach me
I would love to hear from you if you have feedback or concerns about Explore LA or mental health stories. You can reach out by email, rgarrova@laist.com
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The funds will allow nearly twice as many people found incompetent to stand trial to participate in community-based restoration instead of languishing in county jail.
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The money will mean 200 additional beds for a county program that diverts people facing felony charges out of jail and into 'community based settings.'
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The lawyer for the family of David Ordaz, Jr. says instead of getting help from deputies during a mental health crisis, he was "executued."
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The Sheriff's Department said deputies shot and killed David Ordaz, Jr. as he charged at them with a knife. A bystander's video does not clearly show that's what happened.
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L.A. Sheriff’s deputies were called out Sunday on a ‘medical rescue/suicidal person call’ in East L.A. The man who prompted the call ended up dead.
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Reginald Wheeler stole a man’s watch and $14, but he walked him about 100 feet away from the street to do it. That got him a kidnapping charge, and a sentence of 8 years to life in prison. He’s still there after 36 years.
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Reginald Wheeler was charged with kidnapping because he forced a man to walk about 100 feet before robbing him of his watch and $14. That got Wheeler a sentence of eight years to life. Now he's hoping to qualify for DA George Gascón's review of past sentences.
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City and county leaders promised last summer to explore moving to unarmed responses to some mental health crisis and substance use calls. Several months in, we have a progress report.
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The city and county have several pilot projects running or in the works, dealing with everything from using medics and crisis workers -- no cops -- to respond to mental health crises to diverting calls from 911 to private crisis counselors.
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Today’s move is just a first step, but police reform advocates say it’s important — and overdue.
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Five legal aid firms argue their clients are risking their lives to show up for non-urgent matters such as traffic citations and eviction hearings.
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Sleeping outside can bring a fine of $1,000. The suit calls out a 'deeply punitive enforcement regime that discriminates on the basis of both race and poverty.'
