TMZ.com
L.A. City Councilman Herb Wesson says it’s time to have the right people responding to situations where force is not needed — and his plan could be a model for the future of policing in America.
Wesson came on “TMZ Live” Wednesday to discuss a new city-wide measure he and his fellow council members voted on and passed this week, which aims to pull cops off on non-violent calls for service, and instead … send specially-trained, and unarmed, community members.
The Council’s intent is clear … reduce the possibility of police using excessive force, and have social workers and mental health pros on the scene to deescalate and help citizens in need.
@jzapata23 / Twitter
For example, the incident that went down in Tampa this past weekend — where officers responded to a call for a mother in mental distress. Cops ended up ripping away her children in a heartbreaking scene.
Wesson wants to put a stop to unnecessary roughness like that, by deploying specialists who can calm situations and talk down subjects.
The measure will require defunding the police — or more accurately, reallocating the city’s budget. The City Councilman thinks the change would free up LAPD to better police violent cases. Win-win.
It also sounds like this is a plan that could be adopted nationwide — if it’s effective in the city of Angels.
Play video content TMZ.com Julia Fox is vocalizing her support for Cassie in the wake… Read More
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Rena Sofer and Sanford Bookstaver are… Read More
Sarah Wayne Callies claims one of her male costars on "Prison Break" spat in her… Read More
Getty Images Adele is ready to be a mom again! The singer announced the news… Read More
Play video content CNN The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court is gunning for… Read More
Getty Images On Thursday, Jelly Roll hit the red carpet at the 2024 ACM Awards,… Read More