On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva spoke on Facebook Live about several topics relating to his department such as what he believes are misconceptions about the department, crime and homelessness in Los Angeles County.

Topics such as police defunding and rising rates of crime and homelessness were discussed by L.A. County Sheriff Villanueva, who spoke on Facebook Live this week.

“First off, we wanted to definitely extend our condolences to the Kern County Sheriff’s office and the family of Deputy Sheriff Phillip Campas who was tragically killed on Sunday, July 25, while trying to attempt a rescue of people who were felled by a suspect,” Villanueva said.

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The sheriff went on to describe his opinion on the views of L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the Fifth District, including the Santa Clarita Valley.

“This will be a test for Supervisor Barger: The suspect who died after killing family members, after killing Deputy Campas who died trying to save people, and he died in an exchange of gunfire with them, does that make him a victim? Or is he a suspect?” Villanueva said. “I want you to think long and hard about that one, Supervisor Barger.”

Villanueva went on to describe his opinions on recent news and opinions against law enforcement in general, going into the controversial topic of recent news on police brutality and the death of George Floyd.

“George Floyd was a victim,” the sheriff said. “The murderer, Derek Chauvin, was rightfully tried and convicted of that. He is a suspect. Now, what you’re trying to do is pretend that every single person who dies at the hands of law enforcement is a victim. They’re not a victim. They’re only a victim when the district attorney, the U.S. attorney, rules that the shooting was unlawful or the use of force was unlawful.”

Villanueva then pointed to rising rates of violent crime and homelessness, criticizing statements by the L.A. County Supervisors’ office and what he views as distractions from these issues.

“We’re dealing with a rise in violent crime, we’re dealing with homelessness engulfing entire sections of the County, and that’s the best you can do?” the sheriff said. “Because we have real problems, and we need real solutions, and all you can do is, well, I guess we can go to the old ‘let’s throw some rocks at the Sheriff and distract attention.’”

Sheriff Villanueva described his concerns with rising homelessness and elected officials’ responses to the issue.

“They’re trying to confuse output with outcome,” Villanueva said regarding the County Supervisors. “They’ll say ‘Oh we house so many people!’ And they’ll pat themselves on the back at all the people they housed and all the services they provided. Are there more homeless on the streets, yes or no, since you took office? That is a measure. That is the outcome.”

Villanueva went on to describe what he believes are the main issues facing his department, as well as the challenges he believes they face combating the issues.

“Unfortunately, the true problems that we’re facing, which is homelessness, surge in violent crime, illegal marijuana grows and dispensaries in the basin, those three problems,” Villanueva said. “We do not have the resources to handle all three. We’re working hard to do that and we’re doing everything we can under the sun with the resources that we have.”

To view the sheriff’s full Facebook Live discussion with the public, click here.

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