LOS ANGELES, CA — A plan to expand police surveillance cameras ran into resistance at City Hall this week, even as Los Angeles lawmakers overwhelmingly approved another program that will put more license plate-reading cameras on city streets.
The contrasting decisions lead this week's roundup of debates, decisions and developments inside Los Angeles city and county government.
The LAPD wants to test 30 license plate-reading cameras mounted on streetlights, but the City Council's Public Safety Committee voted 3-2 Tuesday to recommend blocking the plan over concerns about privacy, data access and oversight. Police officials defended the technology as a valuable crime-fighting tool and said new safeguards would protect against misuse. The full City Council is expected to vote Oct. 27.
Meanwhile, the council voted 13-1 Wednesday to authorize up to 50 cameras on DASH buses to catch drivers illegally blocking bus lanes and stops. The rollout begins downtown Nov. 1, with warnings issued for the first 60 days. Councilman John Lee questioned why the city was embracing license plate readers for traffic enforcement while scrutinizing their use by police.
With Election Day approaching, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath endorsed Councilwoman Nithya Raman's bid to unseat Mayor Karen Bass, breaking ranks with the other four supervisors, who are backing the incumbent. Nearly all of Raman's City Council colleagues also support Bass, underscoring the mayor's strength within LA's political establishment.
But institutional support tells only part of the story in a race shaped by voter frustration over homelessness, rising living costs and the aftermath of the Palisades Fire — and disillusionment among those who see a political system more concerned with preserving itself than solving those problems.
An Associated Press report this week portrayed the contest as generating little enthusiasm, while a New Yorker report offered a contrasting picture — describing organizers who see the election as an opportunity to fundamentally reshape Los Angeles politics.
"The point is, we can transform politics in LA," Rafael Jaime, a union leader and Democratic Socialists of America organizer, told the magazine. "We have the organization."
A new LAPD report found sharp increases in hate crimes targeting Jewish and LGBTQ residents in parts of Los Angeles, particularly the San Fernando Valley and Westside.
Antisemitic hate crimes rose 41% in the Valley and 55% in the West Bureau during the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. Reported crimes targeting gay and transgender people also increased in both areas.
Citywide, however, the overall increase was much smaller: LAPD recorded 416 hate crimes through July, up from 408 a year earlier. Police are recommending additional efforts to identify repeat offenders and strengthen security at potentially targeted institutions.
The Trump administration's effort to set aside more than 20,000 California ballots over allegations that the voters may not be U.S. citizens is headed for its first hearing in downtown Los Angeles on Oct. 30.
Federal prosecutors are seeking emergency court intervention before the Nov. 3 election, arguing that ballots from potentially ineligible voters should be separated until their citizenship can be verified.
California and Los Angeles County election officials are fighting the request, calling the federal government's evidence unreliable and warning that withholding ballots from registered voters could disrupt an election already underway.
And some relief could be coming for Los Angeles residents stunned by soaring utility bills following a record-hot summer, with some customers reporting charges double or triple their usual amounts.
Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday that LADWP customers struggling with higher bills can pay what they can afford for now. She also asked the utility's board to suspend water and electricity shutoffs through the end of the year for residential customers unable to pay.
Bass also encouraged residents to use the utility's Level Pay program, which spreads costs more evenly across the year, and to seek available financial assistance. Beginning in November, LADWP will provide customers with additional information about their water and electricity usage to help them reduce costs.
LA Animal Shelters Overcrowded, Understaffed And Struggling To Care For Animals: Audit
The report says LA Animal Services lacks enough staff to meet basic care needs and is operating beyond shelter capacity.
Metro Begins Construction On New Valley Rail Line With 11 Stations
The 6.7-mile light rail line will connect several San Fernando Valley communities to regional transit.
Firefighter Pension Proposal Draws Scrutiny As LA Weighs Fire Department Sales Tax
The pension proposal would reward firefighters for involuntary extra shifts as voters weigh a separate half-cent sales tax for the LAFD.
Tipsters To Split $100K Reward In Ambush Shooting Of 2 LA County Deputies
Two witnesses who provided key information in the 2020 attack will split the reward, with one receiving $90,000.
On-Location Filming Drops 4.8% In LA County Despite Tax Credit Gains
"Production remains far below where LA needs it to be, and crews and businesses across the region are feeling it," an official said.
LA Looks To Replace Flimsy Bike-Lane Bollards With Concrete Barriers
LA has more than 90 miles of protected bike lanes, most of them separated from traffic plastic bollards meant to be temporary.
Metro Backs Plan To Relocate Commerce Metrolink Station To Pico Rivera
A study found a Pico Rivera station could draw hundreds of daily riders, compared with just 33 at the current Commerce stop.
Metro Renames DTLA Station For Formerly Enslaved LA Pioneer
Born into slavery, Biddy Mason won her freedom in Los Angeles before becoming one of the city's first Black women to own property.
Burned-Out Valley Glen Home With Squatters, Needles Ordered Demolished
Neighbors say the burned-out property has drawn squatters, drug use, needles and trash for more than a year.
Bass Pushes Back On Ex-LAFD Chief's Bid To Question Her Under Oath
The former fire chief's lawsuit centers on the mayor's public claims about LAFD staffing and preparedness during the deadly Palisades Fire.
Thousands Of CA State Workers Walk Out In Union's First-Ever Strike
State workers picketed in downtown Los Angeles as part of the union's first-ever strike over pay, health care and telework policies.
$1M Eaton Fire Soil Cleanup Program Launched By LA County
The New Roots Eaton Canyon Pilot Program aims to provide soil testing and remediation services.
Text 'HATE': LA County Launches New Reporting Tool For Hate-Crime Incidents
The new service lets residents report hate, bias and discrimination by text, with anonymous reporting and multilingual assistance available.
Construction Begins On Vermont Transit Corridor Bus Rapid Transit Project In LA
A sweeping redesign of the street is underway, with major changes ahead for drivers and commuters along the 12-mile corridor.
Ex-Curren Price Aide Ordered To Undergo Mental Health Exam In Retaliation Case
The former council aide says she suffered severe emotional and physical effects after being branded a "snitch" and fired.
Judge Tosses Racial, Age Discrimination Suit Against LA County Sheriff's Department
The longtime LASD employee alleged she was demoted because of her race and age after complaints about her handling of jail inmates.
Fire Survivors Press CA Insurance Commissioner Candidates Over Toxic Home Testing
Fire survivors are pressing the candidates to commit to forcing insurers to test and remediate smoke-contaminated homes.
Deputy, Wife Settle Lawsuit Over Armed LAPD Stop In San Fernando Valley
The deputy says officers pointed guns at him and handcuffed him before finding his badge during the 2020 stop.
Early In-Person Voting Begins Saturday At 123 LA County Vote Centers
Voters can cast their ballots at any vote center in the county, regardless of where they live.
Nonprofit Founder Denies Using LA County Homelessness Funds For Nightclub, Bingo Hall
The nonprofit received more than $118 million in public funds before its founder allegedly diverted millions, prosecutors claim.
City News Service contributed to this report.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Los Angeles Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.