By JOSE HERRERA
Tenant rights attorney Ysabel Jurado, a candidate in the 14th L.A. City Council District race, on Monday, Oct. 21, drew the ire of the union representing the Los Angeles Police Department’s rank-and-file for saying “expletive the police” at a recent meeting with college students.
During the meeting with students at Cal State Los Angeles, an individual who identified himself as a resident of the district asked Jurado her thoughts on police spending. Jurado used that phrase in her response, noting it was a lyric from a song.
The exchange was recorded and later posted online by the Westside Current news site.
In a statement Monday, Jurado defended her comments, saying she quoted a lyric from a song that’s been “part of a larger conversation on system injustice and police accountability for decades.” Juardo added that she is committed to public safety.
But the remark drew criticism from the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers.
“‘(Expletive) the police, that’s how I see them,” the police union stated, quoting Jurado. “Ysabel Jurado revealed her true colors on how she views police officers who protect the residents of Los Angeles. She’s made it clear that she will jeopardize public safety for failed social experiments by pulling police off of crimes like retail thefts, car thefts, smash-and-grab robberies, hate crimes, and more.”
Councilmember Kevin de León, who is seeking reelection to serve as the representative for the 14th District, called Juardo’s comments as “simply disrespectful.”
“I stand where I’ve always stood, 100% behind our frontline officers who go out every day risking their lives to protect Angelenos across the city,” de León said in a statement.
Related Articles
LAPD reports 53% rise in applications, so why has hiring declined?
New LAPD chief McDonnell’s legacy in Long Beach bodes well for Angelenos – and for regional teamwork
Parole rescinded for former LAPD detective convicted of killing her ex-boyfriend’s wife in 1986
Man accused of killing a man and hijacking Metro bus is charged with murder
Chair of LA Metro wants more police on buses and trains after hijack and death
Jurado, who is looking to unseat the incumbent and represent the 14th District, encompassing downtown areas to El Sereno and Eagle Rock, said it’s not enough to be tough on crime.
She took a moment to highlight how the city is on the edge of fiscal emergency.
“We’re in this mess because of reckless decisions, including massive payouts for police misconduct. The result? A city broke, unable to fix busted sidewalks, broken streetlights, or trim trees — services that keep us safe and whole; services that we desperately need,” Jurado said in a statement.
“We’ve got to be tough and smart, and operate with the fiscal responsibility necessary to fix our lopsided budget. And I’m prepared to work with whoever I need to — whether it’s the LAPD or colleagues I may not always see eye to eye with — because my priority is delivering for our district, plain and simple,” Jurado said in a statement. “Our campaign is about real solutions, not distractions.”