RESOLUTION NO. 22- ____
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA,
CALIFORNIA, TO SUPPORT THE RECALL OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY GEORGE GASCON
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita, California, values and places the highest priority on public safety and protecting its community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita, California, emphasizes supporting public safety policies to prevent and reduce criminal activity in its adopted 2022 Executive and Legislative Platform; and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon unilaterally issued a series of Special Directives in December 2020, including Special Directives 20-06, 20-07, and 20-08; and
WHEREAS, Special Directive 20-06 eliminates cash bail for any misdemeanor, non- serious felony, or non-violent felony offense; and
WHEREAS, Special Directive 20-07 declines or dismisses several misdemeanor charges, including trespassing, disturbing the peace, criminal threats, drug and paraphernalia possession, under the influence of a controlled substance, public intoxication, and resisting arrest; and
WHEREAS, Special Directive 20-08 eliminates several sentence enhancements, including the Three Strikes Law, gang enhancements, and violations of bail; and
WHEREAS, some of the Special Directives issued by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, violate state law, which were enacted through the legislative or ballot initiative process to prevent and prosecute crime and protect the general public; and
WHEREAS, the Special Directives listed in this resolution undermine the legislative and ballot initiative process and risk safety of the general public; and
WHEREAS, it is of the utmost importance for the City of Santa Clarita, California, that policies that aim to restructure or amend prosecutorial directives are consistent with state law and issued with reasonable intent and priority to enhance public safety and protect the general public and victims’ rights; and
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2021, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita adopted Resolution No. 21-7, becoming the first City to adopt a vote of no confidence in Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon; and
WHEREAS, local and regional crime has increased in the last year, including serial and organized crimes related to assault, burglary, grand theft auto, and arson; and
WHEREAS, the leadership and directives of Los Angeles County District George Gascon have exacerbated serial crime rates, as many individuals are not prosecuted for the crimes they commit and never receive any needed treatment or rehabilitation, further perpetuating an environment of lawlessness and injustice.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California, does hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. The Santa Clarita City Council affirms support for the recall of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon and hereby directs staff transmit said resolution to applicable and interested offices and organizations.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 26th day of April 2022.
______________________________
MAYOR
ATTEST:
_______________________________
CITY CLERK
DATE:__________________________
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 22- was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 26th day of April 2022, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
______________________________
CITY CLERK