Voters Choose New Approach to Public Safety
In a decisive victory, former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman unseated incumbent George Gascón as Los Angeles County District Attorney.
What You Need to Know
Hochman secured 61% of the vote compared to Gascón's 39%, reflecting a strong desire for change in the county's approach to public safety and criminal justice.
Election Night Highlights
Hochman's campaign raised over $10 million, significantly outpacing Gascón's $1.2 million.
Polls leading up to the election consistently showed Hochman with a wide lead.
Hochman received widespread support from law enforcement unions and victims' advocacy groups.
Hochman's Proposed Policies
Hochman has promised a "hard middle" approach to criminal justice, emphasizing a balance between public safety and reform.
His key campaign promises include:
- Rescinding Gascón's "pro-criminal blanket policies" on day one.
- Restoring the partnership between law enforcement and the DA's office.
- Allowing prosecutors to accompany victims at parole hearings.
- Focusing on rehabilitation for those with mental illness and drug addiction.
- Obtaining state funding to more aggressively prosecute organized retail crimes.
How It Impacts You
With our BOMA/GLA members in mind, we look forward to seeing how Hochman's policies will improve public safety in our community.
His emphasis on tackling organized retail crime and restoring trust in the DA's office could have positive implications for commercial properties throughout Los Angeles County.
Looking Ahead
Hochman is set to be sworn in on December 2nd. Until then, Gascón will continue to serve as a lame-duck District Attorney.
In a related development, voters also approved Proposition 36.
Endorsed previously by our BOMA/GLA Board of Directors, it is also known as the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.
It aims to amend Prop 47 by creating a new "treatment-mandated felony" for repeat drug offenders, allow felony charges for theft after two prior convictions, and increase penalties for fentanyl-related offenses.
This initiative seeks to provide law enforcement with more tools to address retail theft, drug addiction, and homelessness in California.
We look forward to seeing this proposition acting in tandem with Hochman’s new policies to increase public safety for our Los Angeles communities.
We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on BOMA on the Frontline.