New Shuttle Service For LA DA’s Office Employees Sparks Criticism In Los Angeles

A new shuttle program for worker’s in the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office unveiled this week has drawn growing criticism. The shuttle was put in place following a growing number of criminal incidents against workers in the Civic Center area and DA George Gascon’s weak on crime policies that have led to a rise in crime in Los Angeles.

Since being elected in November 2020, DA Gascon’s policies, which have included cash bail being removed for many crimes and the end of enhanced sentences, have brought considerable criticism. Similar to the effect of recalled San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin, Gascon’s soft on crime approach brought on a spike in crime in LA County. In the city of Los Angeles alone, crime went up 11.6% between 2021 and 2022. Meanwhile, other cities that removed Progressive DA’ and their policies, such as San Francisco, have seen crime figures grind to a halt, and in some categories, begin to improve.

The high crime in LA attributed to Gascon’s policies led to an ironic new program this week in Los Angeles. The Employee Secure Transport and Escort Program (E-STEP) program, which offers secure shuttle service for Civic Center employees, was put into place following a series of security and criminal incidents that took place between employees and the members of the public. Set up by the DA’s Bureau of Investigation, the program will continue until a more permanent solution is found.

“Security incidents involving aggressive confrontations initiated by members of the public have occurred to our employees assigned in the Civic Center area, while walking between their vehicles or transportation area and the office,” said a press release on Thursday.

Stops for the shuttle will include the Hall of Justice, Union Station, and Chinatown, with vehicles to, temporarily, consist of large minivans.

Critics of Gascon addressed the flaws in Gascon’s policies, which led to such a program to be created in the first place, as well pointing out that many other LA citizens would not be afforded the same protection.

A staffer in LA City Hall “Marco,” added, “I hope Gascon really looks into what he has exactly done. Everyone knows that all these things he has done as DA has led to the worsening crime situation. He put his own employees at risk, and he’s putting the people of LA County at risk. No competent person does that.”

“All I’m thinking of now is where is my protection, you know? We get accosted on the street too. Where is our shuttle service? Or better yet, where is the justice? All of my white, Asian, black, and fellow Latino co-workers are worried.”

As of Thursday, Gascon himself has yet to comment about the new shuttle service directly.