26 Feb Nathan Hochman, Leading Candidate for District Attorney, Releases Truth About Crime Data: ‘We Are Less Safe Than We Were Before George Gascon Took Office’
LOS ANGELES / February 26, 2024 – Nathan Hochman, the front-runner in the campaign for L.A. County District Attorney, today released his analysis of Los Angeles crime data, which show that both violent and property crime has increased significantly since D.A. George Gascon took office in 2020.
Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, U.S. Assistant Attorney General, and L.A. City Ethics Commission President, said Gascon has attempted to mislead the public by comparing crime stats from 2023 only to 2022 – while hiding from the fact that both violent and property crime has increased significantly each year compared to the year he became District Attorney.
At a debate in January 2024, Gascon manipulated these crime statistics in an attempt to deflect widespread criticism of his blanket pro-criminal policies, saying, “We have seen crime coming down … at the same time we have continued with the reform effort.” Gascon failed to acknowledge that “the crime coming down” only referred to 2023 violent crime incidents compared to 2022 violent crime incidents, making it seem that violent crime was down compared to when he first entered office – which it isn’t.
Crime statistics released by the Los Angeles Police Department show that property crime has increased every year since Gascon has been District Attorney and violent crime was significantly higher in 2023 than it was in 2020.
“Rather than decreasing, as Gascon wants you to believe, property crimes have skyrocketed in Los Angeles County and that’s significantly related to his shameful policies,” Hochman said. “The public is not imagining that they’re less safe. The numbers show crime has increased and we are all less safe as a result of George Gascon.”
Gascon’s limitations on the prosecution of juveniles who commit property crimes has created an open season for criminals, Hochman said.
“If you’re a juvenile and you want to steal merchandise worth less than $950, which is a misdemeanor, Gascon has said he won’t charge juveniles with misdemeanors. When you know there will be no punishment, there is nothing to stop criminals from committing crime. That’s why we see so many juveniles participating in these flash-mob robberies and why shoplifting is up over 81% in the last year alone,” Hochman said.
While violent crime in the City of Los Angeles was slightly lower in 2023 than 2022, incidents of murder, aggravated assault, forcible rape and other violent crimes were 4% higher in 2023 than in 2020, the last year that Jackie Lacey was D.A.
There has been a massive increase in property crime during Gascon’s first three years in office, with 24% more property crimes reported in the City in 2023 than in 2020, according to LAPD crime data.
A recent survey found that roughly two-thirds of Los Angeles County residents feel less safe now than they did before Gascon took office.
“The public is concerned about crime – and for good reason. We are less safe than we were before George Gascon took office,” Hochman said. “When I am D.A., I will do away with Gascon’s pro-criminal, blanket policies and make it clear that my prosecutors will enforce the law. Criminals will know that if they cross the line, there will be consequences.”
About Nathan Hochman:
Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney General and President of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, is the leading candidate to replace George Gascon as District Attorney of Los Angeles County. He is an Independent (No Party Preference) candidate who believes politics has no place in the D.A.’s Office. For more information about Hochman and his campaign, please visit www.NathanHochman.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Stuart Pfeifer
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