By admin 
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As the mayoral campaign enters its final weeks, Mayor Karen Bass defended Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, addressed the LAPD’s role during immigration enforcement operations, and highlighted her administration’s efforts to address homelessness.
Read more The Crooked Duck remains a Long Beach favorite, 15 years later
The discussion followed a social media post by Bass’ opponent, Nithya Raman, that included the phrase, “only you can stop fascist liars.”
The post criticized how the LAPD responds to ICE raids. Bass said the post was an attack on McDonnell and the LAPD. Raman denied that characterization and removed the post within hours. Bass said the LAPD’s responsibility during immigration raids is to maintain public safety rather than assist federal immigration agents.
“I think when there is an ICE raid, the obligation of the LAPD is to protect the broader community, not the ICE agents. The problem is, if there’s a raid that’s taking place and a large number of Angelenos converge around because they are rightfully outraged, you can have a conflict between the federal agents and the residents. And we can’t have that,” Bass said.
While acknowledging differences with McDonnell, Bass said she does not plan to remove him from his position.
“I have no intent to relieve him of his duties,” she said. When asked whether the Chief has her full confidence, Bass responded, “Yes.”
Bass also pointed to what she described as progress in addressing homelessness, saying more than 23,000 people have been taken off the streets and that there are fewer encampments near schools. At the same time, homelessness increased this year, and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, known as LAHSA, has faced allegations of mismanagement. The agency has been criticized for losing track of $2.5 billion and for the arrests of homeless service providers accused of stealing tens of millions of dollars.
“I knew coming in that the system is broken. I had no idea how profoundly dysfunctional it was,” Bass said.
Asked about accountability for alleged misuse of funds, Bass said she was not aware of any city or county employees involved in theft.
“As far as I know, there is not county or city employees that have been involved in outright theft,” Bass said.
During an exchange about oversight of contracts and payments, Bass acknowledged that responsibility for approving funds may exist within the agency’s bureaucracy. “You now, that is possible. That person would be deep within LAHSA bureaucracy, and I could not tell you who that person is today,” she said.
Read more ‘Pretty Little Liars’ actor Keegan Allen says he was beaten and robbed in West Hollywood
Bass blamed structural issues between city and county governments for complicating oversight.
“You didn’t have any one person or entity that was in charge. Invoices and contracts bounce back and forth between the city and the county,” she said.
She also said the city lacked authority over housing placements tied to Proposition HHH-funded projects. “When Angelenos voted for Proposition HHH several years ago, L.A. city taxpayers voted for that. We built the housing, 10,000 units of housing, most of which was built before I took over. Do you now that L.A. City had no control over who got the housing? The county did,” Bass said.
Bass said she is advocating for a new structure that would place responsibility for the city’s homeless population under city control.
“The system l am proposing now, is for L.A. City to be in charge of the homeless population in L.A. City,” she said. With less than four weeks remaining in the campaign, recent polling shows about 30% of Los Angeles voters remain undecided. Bass acknowledged that the Palisades has affected public perceptions of her administration, particularly among voters on the west side.
“I certainly know the Palisades, obviously, was very damaging to how people viewed me, especially in the west side, where a lot of those undecided voters are,” Bass said. “I think a lot of people have been surprised at the progress that has been made in the Palisades. 1,000 thousand homes under construction, people beginning to move back now.”
Bass calls the opportunity to lead Los Angeles “the privilege of a lifetime.” She also shared this is the last office she will ever hold, vowing to never run for any other office again.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, Bass said her focus remains on the city’s residents.
“My job and my eyes are always focused on the prize, and the prize for me is the health and well being of Angelenos,” she said.
Read more Franklin High students march after classmate’s death on campus