Expenses incurred by Los Angeles authorities due to immigration protests surpass $19.5 million for law enforcement and city maintenance.
L.A.'s Immigration Protests Pushing the City Towards Financial Strain
The city of Los Angeles has been hit hard financially due to the ongoing immigration protests, with close to $20 million already spent. The majority of this hefty sum has been shouldered by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), particularly through overtime payments.
According to the city's top budget analyst, Matt Szabo, the city incurred at least $19.7 million in costs up until June 16. The LAPD accounts for an impressive $16.9 million of that figure, more than half of the total amount. Overtime payments alone climbed to $11.7 million, indicating the long hours officers have worked in response to the protests.
Beyond the LAPD's budget, repair costs for damage inflicted on City Hall, the LAPD's headquarters, and other city buildings have amounted to $780,601. With further estimates suggesting the tally will continue to grow, city finances are under mounting pressure.
Daily demonstrations have been held in downtown L.A. since immigration agents raided a fast-fashion warehouse on June 6, some turning violent. The LAPD has reported 575 arrests since the protests began, with deployments of tear gas canisters and less-lethal munitions.
California
The unsettled atmosphere across Los Angeles persists, with President Trump threatening a massive deportation operation and demanding federal agents to target unauthorized workers in L.A., Chicago, and New York. As tension simmers, the additional costs from the protests will only intensify the city's already precarious financial situation, given increased legal payouts and decreasing tax revenues.
In 2020, the LAPD spent an astounding $40 million on overtime in response to the protests following George Floyd's murder by a Minnesota police officer. Moreover, city records indicate at least $11.9 million were given in settlements and jury awards due to legal actions related to those protests.
Amidst these events, a media representatives’ group has sued the LAPD in federal court, alleging violations of constitutional and state rights. The lawsuit centers around instances of officers aggressively targeting journalists with foam projectiles and flouting regulations on the use of less-lethal weapons during crowd control situations.
- Times staff writer Libor Jany contributed reporting.
Controversial Moments
- Tensions Escalate as Police and Protesters Clash during L.A. immigration sweeps
- Intensified Immigration Raids Lead to Hundreds of Arrests Across L.A. Area
- City Council Members and Police Chief Square Off over Immigration Protest Response
Relevant Information
- Anti-ICE protests have resulted in financial strain due to police overtime, potential damage, and potential settlements for injuries or property damage.
- The use of rubber bullets, tear gas, and other crowd control measures by police contribute to the overall cost of policing these events.
- Settlements could be incurred following claims related to injuries or property damage during the protests.
- Exact figures on costs, settlements, and overtime require official city or police department reports.
- The ongoing immigration protests in Los Angeles, California are placing immense financial strain on the city, with the city's top budget analyst, Matt Szabo, estimating at least $19.7 million in costs up until June 16.
- The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) bears the brunt of these financial burdens, with overtime payments amounting to $11.7 million, representing long hours worked by officers in response to the protests.
- Beyond the LAPD's costs, repair expenses for damage inflicted on City Hall, the LAPD's headquarters, and other city buildings totaled $780,601, with estimates suggesting the tally will continue to grow.
- As tension simmers, the additional costs from the protests could intensify the city's already precarious financial situation, given increased legal payouts and decreasing tax revenues, especially in light of previous expenses incurred during the 2020 protests following George Floyd's murder.
