Following a closed session discussion at its October 10 City Council meeting, the La Mirada City Council voted to join Whittier, Downey, Santa Fe Springs, and other cities in pursuing an injunction to postpone the implementation of the Superior Courts’ new zero-bail schedule. Under this new schedule, individuals arrested for a variety of misdemeanors and non-violent felonies may now be cited and released with a notice to appear in court without any assessment of risk to the public. This poses a significant threat to the safety of the community.
The new bail schedule applies to a broad range of offenses including car thefts, car burglaries, thefts of property of any value, retail and commercial thefts and burglaries, possession of stolen property, forgery, and drug sales among other crimes. In certain cases, individuals who pose a greater risk for committing crimes, including sexual battery, crimes against children or elders, contact with minors with an intent to commit a sexual offense, and those involving guns, a “magistrate review” will be conducted electronically by an on-call judge to assess whether immediate release with a notice to appear in court is more appropriate than jail.
“The safety of our community remains our top priority,” says La Mirada Mayor Steve De Ruse. “Catch and release systems have proven to be ineffective in reducing crime. We are dedicated to protecting the interests of La Mirada residents and working collectively with other cities to ensure the safety and well-being of all surrounding communities.”
For more information on this, call La Mirada City Hall at (562) 943-0131.
