The Incumbent’s Claims: Making LA Safer

Current District Attorney George Gascón argues that community safety is his top priority and that he is succeeding in making Los Angeles County safer during his tenure so far. He can point to some encouraging statistics:

• Homicides in the city of LA fell from 392 in 2022 to 327 in 2023, part of a broader decline in violent crimes under Gascón’s watch.
• Property crimes are down in the city of LA since 2021, though some types of theft have increased modestly.
• The LA County Sheriff’s Department data shows homicides, robberies, aggravated assaults holding relatively steady recently after an initial spike in Gascón’s first year.

The Challenger’s Narrative: A Crime Wave

Despite these data points, Gascón’s opponent Nathan Hochman claims the incumbent has presided over a “massive increase” in crime, especially property crimes which Hochman alleges are being vastly underreported due to residents’ lack of confidence in law enforcement.

Hochman contends the November election “is going to turn on the question of who is going to keep us safe.” He argues concerns about homelessness really mask deeper fears about public safety and being victimized by those dealing with mental illness or addiction.

Unpacking the Claims: What the Data Really Shows

An objective look at the available crime data reveals a more nuanced picture that doesn’t fully vindicate either candidate’s narrative:

• Violent crimes did spike around 12% over Gascón’s first three years based on Sheriff’s Dept. data, with property crimes up 15%. Not insignificant, but also not a sustained year-over-year surge.
• Burglaries jumped right after Gascón took office but have since leveled off per the Sheriff’s data.
• The latest UCLA Quality of Life Index found LA County residents mildly positive about public safety and very satisfied within their own neighborhoods, contrary to claims of rampant fear of crime.

At the same time, this same UCLA survey found cost of living to be the top concern among residents by far, with widespread discontent around housing affordability and inflation.

So while Hochman may be overstating matters to claim a ubiquitous sense of vulnerability to crime, Gascón could also be downplaying public sentiments if concerns about economic pressures are bleeding into broader unease about personal security.

The Role of the DA in Shaping Perceptions

Both candidates seem to be operating under the assumption that the district attorney’s policies and priorities have an outsized impact on driving crime rates up or down. However, many criminal justice experts would push back on this notion.

A strong case can be made that factors like policing strategies, socioeconomic conditions, addiction/mental health treatment access, and the pandemic’s effects have played a much larger role than prosecutorial decisions in recent fluctuations in LA’s crime statistics.

The legacy of mass incarceration has also led some reform advocates to question whether purely “tough on crime” prosecutor platforms truly enhance community safety in a systemic, sustainable way.

Public Priorities and Quality of Life

Ultimately, while recent upticks in some property and violent crime categories in LA are causes for concern, the numbers don’t indicate a return to the worst periods of the 1990s “crime capital” reputation.

For most Angelenos today, cost of living pressures, homelessness, traffic congestion, and other quality of life issues may loom larger than personal safety fears. A district attorney’s performance will likely be just one factor, though an important one, in shaping how secure residents feel.

Both candidates would do well to address all the interconnected pieces of the public safety puzzle – from prevention and treatment, to fair but firm prosecution of serious offenses. Presenting nuanced solutions, rather than stark binary narratives, may better serve the needs of LA County’s diverse 10 million residents.

In a region where circumstances and perspectives can vary drastically from neighborhood to neighborhood, avoiding generalizations and acknowledging the complexity of the crime issue could go a long way. As Los Angeles continues evolving, so too must the discussion around what truly makes its communities safer and stronger. I sincerely hope you find this “Los Angeles Safer Than Ever Despite Claims from District Attorney Candidates? Uncover the Details” article helpful.

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Sage has been a beloved destination for vegans and vegetarians in LA for its plant-based menus and ethical principles. So why is Sage now departing from its strict veganism?

The Driving Factors Behind Sage Pivot

In an open letter, Sage’s founder and head chef Mollie Engelhart cited financial struggles and a change in her beliefs as the key reasons.

Specifically, Engelhart shared that Sage has not been profitable since 2020. The pandemic dealt a tough blow – one location permanently closed and another converted to takeout-only.

On top of fiscal challenges, Engelhart also explained she no longer feels “a vegan lifestyle for all is a viable solution for the planet.” Instead, she now believes serving some ethically raised animal products is more realistic and sustainable.

What Animal Products Will Sage Offer?

Come May 29th, Sage will reopen under the new name “Sage Regenerative Kitchen and Brewery.”

The updated menu will feature dishes made with animal ingredients like meat, eggs, and dairy that come from so-called “regenerative farms.” These farms try to make the soil healthier, increase the number of different plants and animals, trap carbon, and not use man-made chemicals.

For example, new menu items that are not vegan may have beef, pork, chicken, fish, eggs or milk from animals raised on nearby farms that use these methods. Sage will still offer its current plant-based options too.

Mixed Feelings from Customers

As expected, some loyal vegan customers feel let down or even betrayed by the news. They say the many vegan choices prove that plant-based food can be tasty and popular. Others plan to keep going to Sage, believing the choice was hard but needed.

Some non-vegans have also praised the change, saying it will make them want to eat at Sage more. People on both sides agree being clear about where the food comes from will be important moving forward.

The Bigger Picture

While surprising, Sage may show bigger trends of restaurants coming out of the pandemic making less money and being less idealistic. With rising prices and a possible recession coming, more restaurants could change to appeal to more people instead of sticking to specific values.

Sage story also relates to debates over whether raising animals in a way that helps the earth can make meat and dairy that is more ethical and sustainable. It’s a complicated issue without agreement, often putting scientists who study the environment against people who fight for animal rights.

One thing is clear – Sage sudden change is causing a stir in Los Angeles’ big vegan community and beyond. Whether anger will lead Sage to change back again is still unknown. For now, it shows how even groundbreaking ethical restaurants can be affected by tough money situations.

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