On the Chopper Block

LA Podcast

Mike, Alissa, and Rachel discuss how LA’s budget crisis could lead to an LAPD with fewer officers and more accountability around its helicopter fleet. Metro hires a chief for its new in-house police department. Plus, why LA County approved a $4 billion settlement for thousands of sexual abuse claims, and what this means for survivors.

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It is almost certain that LAPD will be reduced to its lowest numbers since 1995, despite LA Mayor Karen Bass’s goal to hire more officers

A JPL study on the "effectiveness" of LAPD helicopter patrols was conducted in the 1960s. The authors later said the study was flawed and the study findings — which include statements like: "The citizens of Los Angeles accept helicopter patrols as a necessary part of the City’s police system and strongly favor their continuation" — are still presented as facts on the LAPD website

UCLA researchers at the Carceral Ecologies Lab have determined that police helicopter surveillance disturbs physical and mental health

City Controller Kenneth Mejia’s 2023 helicopter report showed that LAPD’s program costs nearly $50 million annually while most of the flight time is not devoted to high-priority events

LA City fire union leaders including Freddy Escobar were suspended after an International Association of Fire Fighters audit showed over $800,000 expenditures without receipts

Bill Scott is Metro’s new police chief and he wants to hire 700 officers

Meanwhile Metro is testing new fare gates and weapons screening at some stations now

"Instead of privatizing good union jobs, those dollars should be staying in-house:" Striking LA County workers list of demands

LA County approves $4 billion sexual abuse settlement, the largest in history, and now survivors are being blamed for costly settlements

"I cannot forget that for weeks survivors were told that seeking justice for our abuse will bankrupt the state. How is that our problem? Why do survivors need to be reigned in?" Rachel’s piece about efforts to roll back AB 218

On Friday, May 30, Rachel will join Francesca Fiorentini for The Bitchuation Room Live in Los Angeles at the Elysian Theater — get tickets here

Congratulations to LA Podcast producer Sophie Bridges for being named a 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist in audio reporting!