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LA County OKs ban on law-enforcement officers hiding identities
VOL. 9, 11,
Los Alamitos to comply with CHRB measures after latest deaths By City News Service
By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com
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he Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance Tuesday to ban federal immigration agents and other law-enforcement officers from concealing their identities while on duty in unincorporated areas. The move follows similar efforts at the state and federal levels in response to officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies who regularly wear masks during enforcement operations. The Trump administration will likely challenge the proposed law in federal court on the grounds that the county does not have the authority to restrict the activities of federal law enforcement agents. The federal government is already suing the state of California over a similar law enacted earlier this year. "This is about defending the constitutional rights of the people we represent," Supervisor Janice Hahn, who introduced the ordinance along with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, said in a statement Tuesday. "We cannot stand down now and allow this type of policing to be acceptable in America. So, if this means a fight in the courts with the federal government, I think it is a fight worth having." The proposed ordinance would apply to all law-enforcement agencies, including federal immigration agents. Hahn said the county's
Masked immigration enforcement agents operate in the Los Angeles area. | Photo courtesy of the office of Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Thousand Oaks
ordinance is a bit different than the state law because it incorporates exceptions for officers wearing medical masks, breathing apparatuses, motorcycle helmets when riding a motorcycle, SWAT teams and active undercover operations. The law prohibits officers from wearing masks or disguises while interacting with the public and requires all law enforcement to wear visible identification and agency affiliation. Administration officials defended agents' mask wearing and blasted Democratic lawmakers. “ICE officers are facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them because of dangerous, untrue smears
from elected Democrats," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement. "ICE officers wear masks to protect themselves and their families from being doxed. ICE officers act heroically to enforce the law and protect American communities with the utmost professionalism. Anyone pointing the finger at law enforcement officers instead of the criminals are simply doing the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.” Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, said the county's mask ban violates the U.S. Constitution and agents would not See ICE Page 32
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comply with it. "This ordinance violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which makes it clear that Los Angeles does not control federal law enforcement," McLaughlin said in a statement. "To be crystal clear: ICE will not abide by Los Angeles' unconstitutional ban. “While ICE law enforcement officers face a 1,153% increase in assaults against them and an 8000% increase in death threats, these Sanctuary politicians of Los Angeles County California approved this ban, which makes it easier for violent political extremists to target our brave men and women of
fficials at Los Alamitos Race Course say they will comply with every reform laid out by the California Horse Racing Board to avoid having their license suspended following the recent deaths of three horses in a single day. The CHRB sent a letter to the track's owners Nov. 25 demanding "significant changes to its safety program" or the board would call an emergency meeting to possibly suspend its license. "The CHRB (both staff and Commissioners) are profoundly concerned about the recent safety record at Los Alamitos, including the alarming catastrophic injuries that occurred this past weekend," CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney wrote to track President Cathy Allred, wife of owner Ed Allred, in a letter provided to City News Service. "In fact, the concern is so great that the Chairman has suggested preparing a notice for an emergency Board meeting outlined in CHRB Rule 1435. As you know, this rule was created in the wake of the events of 2019 to give the Board both the authority and flexibility to suspend a track's license quickly based on a safety concern. ... Dr. (Jeff) Blea and I have spoken and plan to call that emergency meeting unless Los Alamitos makes significant changes to its safety program and the injuries decrease precipitously and See Los Alamitos Page 31
quickly," the letter continued. Track officials said they would meet the requirements, which include holding weekly meetings with state regulators. "Los Alamitos Race Course management takes the safety and welfare of our equine athletes and humans with paramount urgency and will be implementing every measure listed on the California Horse Racing Board letter received on November 25," the track said in a statement later Tuesday. "As early as Sunday night, November 23, Los Alamitos Race Course management began working with our medical and racing teams on installing even more strict measures and enhanced safety protocols to decrease equine injuries. Animal safety has always been our top priority, and it has become an even greater priority today. "Track President Cathy Allred has been in contact with CHRB Executive Director C. Scott Chaney and will be part of the weekly meetings with the CHRB staff and Commissioners," the statement continued. "Changes have been made, and further changes will be made to improve the safety of horses training and racing at Los Alamitos. We thank the California Horse Racing Board for its leadership, and we are prepared to work with their staff as we face this very important moment at Los Alamitos Race Course."