Los Angeles voters taxed themselves twice to pay for fire prevention services. Where did our money go?

In 2020, with 82% of the vote, we approved measure HH, which was a flat $68 per parcel tax for ten years intended to fund the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) to improve local fire prevention services, specifically including brush clearance in the tens of thousands of acres of the Santa Monica Mountains.

In 2024, with 55% of the vote, we approved Measure E, which was a $0.06 increase in taxes per square foot of property, expected to raise over $150 million to fund the LAFD.

It’s 2025. The brush in the Santa Monica Mountains is still overgrown, the Conservancy refuses to manage it, and our LAFD remains underfunded. People are dead and communities are in ashes.

Where did the money go?

Elizabeth Barcohana

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

A bill has been introduced by a Florida Republican to have Trump's face added to Mount Rushmore.

"I've officially introduced legislation to put President Trump's face on Mount Rushmore.

His remarkable accomplishments for our country and the success he will continue to deliver deserve the highest recognition and honor on this iconic national monument. Let's get carving!"

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna

DEVELOPING! "Out of control" wildfire erupts in North Carolina town still recovering from Hurricane Helene. The fire is crossing over to McDowell County.

🚨Evacuation order issued in mountain community due to ‘out of control’ wildfire 

Details: https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/evacuation-order-issued-old-fort-due-wildfire/IGPASUFKJVGWDHJH6ADDR5HNTQ

McDowell County Emergency Services is providing updates for the WNC fires on a FB page

Update: The two patients were 29 year old male and a 33 year old female. They were transported to Cottage Hospital. At this time, there is heavy traffic on the 101 NB. Law enforcement has secured the scene. This incident is under investigation with FAA & NTSB.

PIO (@PIOSBCFireInfo)

Grateful for the overwhelming, bipartisan support for the Laken Riley Act signed by President Trump today—not only a strong move to restore law and order, but also expand protections for the law enforcement officers working tirelessly to protect our communities.

Law Enforcement Legal Defense

"This entire hearing today with RFK was the dawn of actual science, where we get back to challenging everything to make the end result better."

Carl Higbie expresses his support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s responses in his confirmation hearing as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Today, I am revoking Joe Biden's extension of Venezuelan Temporary Protected Status that Secretary Mayorkas forced through at the very end of the administration.

This program was abused, exploited, and politicized. No more immigration schemes that make Americans less safe.

Secretary Kristi Noem

This situation is heartbreaking to read about.

Details: https://lawenforcementtoday.com/5-year-old-answers-door-with-loaded-handgun-while-police-was-serving-a-subpoena

NEW: A group outside Los Angeles, CA is calling on volunteers to watch over Home Depot parking lots for ICE and Border Patrol Agents. 

In their flyer it says they “need support with ICE/Border Patrol shifts [and] you will be trained.”

Matthew Seedorff

The Martinez Police Department, California, sadly announced the death of Officer Marc Kahue. Marc fought a brave and inspiring battle against leukemia, and his loss is felt deeply by all who knew him.

Rest Easy Brother. Prayers for his family of blue and blood. 🙏🏻

*NEWS INTERRUPTION*

Florida: A Miami-Dade Schools Police officer and a Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputy were injured in a crash Wednesday, sources said.

The incident happened in the area of Northwest 7th Avenue and 67th Street.

The schools police officer was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, while the deputy was also being hospitalized.

Miami Fire Rescue officials said both were in serious but stable condition.

Please join us in sending prayers and, or, positive thoughts for their recovery. 🙏🏻

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/2-officers-injured-in-crash-involving-miami-dade-schools-police/3529356/

No other information was immediately available.

Los Angeles: Police are searching still searching for the man who stabbed a woman as she crossed the street in Highland Park on Jan. 18.

Elderly woman stabbed in the neck from behind by a transient in an unprovoked attack that left the victim in critical condition. No word on the suspect’s status. Location: Santa Monica / Edgemont. I can’t say this enough - situational awareness anytime you’re walking around in Los Angeles.

Details: https://www.lapdonline.org/newsroom/rampart-detectives-seeking-help-to-identify-stabbing-suspect-nr25016kt/

Warning Graphic!

The Los Angeles Police Department’s Force Investigation Division is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting in Southeast Division.

On December 26, 2024, at around 6:40 p.m., Southeast Area uniformed Gang Enforcement Detail officers were conducting crime suppression in the area of Hooper Avenue and 92ndStreet. While patrolling, they observed a male vandalism suspect, spray painting a wall on the southeast corner of the intersection. In response, the officers stopped their police vehicle to investigate. Immediately thereafter, a second male suspect, who was standing adjacent to the first, produced a handgun and fired at the officers. Both officers quickly exited their vehicle and returned fire, resulting in an OIS.

Both suspects immediately entered an awaiting vehicle and sped away, prompting additional responding officers to pursue them. The pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle was stopped in the City of Compton, where the driver, later identified as 20-year-old Kevin Diaz, and the two suspects, later identified as 15-year-old juveniles, were taken into custody without further incident.

Upon immediate examination, officers noticed one of the subjects, had sustained injuries from gunfire. The officers provided medical aid until Compton Fire Department (CFD) personnel arrived. Once CFD took over care, the injured subject was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound and was listed in critical condition. Diaz and the other subject were not injured and subsequently arrested and booked for Attempt Murder on a Police Officer.

No officers or other community members were injured during this incident. A loaded .45 caliber handgun, with no identifiable markings, and a shotgun shell casing were recovered from inside the vehicle.

What is happening 😂.

VC: u/CosmicKnees (Reddit)

Detective Mark Shaughnessy retired from the Woburn, MA Police Department.

Det. Shaughnessy was a decorated 20 year Veteran of the United States Army. After retiring from the Army, he became a foreign language teacher prior to joining WPD. Det. Shaughnessy served as a Reserve Police Officer for many years before being sworn in as a full-time Police Officer in 2005. Well done Brother.

US Wins 1st Battle in Larger Tariff War, With All Demands Met

The international spat between the U.S. and Colombia kicked off just two days after the Trump team began its deportation flights.
https://ept.ms/Tariffvictory

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has deployed tactical strike teams to support Department of Homeland Security operations at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Details: https://trib.al/ZPhiwpH

Oakland, 1976

Why did they wait so long to warn the public?

Toxic runoff into the ocean began once it started raining on Friday. LA County’s storm drains empty directly into the Pacific Ocean.

Soledad Ursua