Candidates hoping to be the next Los Angeles County District Attorney sparred at a fiery Thursday night debate where crime, homelessness and mental health took center stage.
Ten candidates took the stage including current L.A. District Attorney George Gascón.
Gascón was elected to the role in 2020 for his progressive platform including not seeking the death penalty, limiting excessive sentences and limiting mandatory cash bail for misdemeanors and some nonviolent felonies.
Gascón said his reforms have been working and that overall crime is down across the county.
“For the last year, we have seen crime coming down, not only in our community, but we’re seeing crime going down nationwide at the same time that we have continued with the reform efforts,” said Gascón.
His critics, however, strongly disagreed as the debate gave a glimpse into how potential candidates plan to reshape the future of law enforcement in L.A. County.