George Gascon disbands special victims unit VIP because F**k them kids.
How the Disbandment of the VIP Unit Impacts Victims of Crime in LA County
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has recently come under fire for disbanding the Vertical Impact Program and Prosecution (VIP) unit, which was responsible for prosecuting cases of physical and sexual child abuse, adult sexual assaults, domestic violence, hate crimes, elder abuse, internet crimes against children, and domestic violence and child murders. The VIP unit worked directly with the community, medical experts, families, victims, and specialized law enforcement units.
This move has been met with criticism from those who believe that the VIP unit was instrumental in bringing justice to victims of crime, particularly those who are most vulnerable. John Hatami, a Santa Clarita resident and former prosecutor in the VIP unit, has spoken out against the decision, calling it a "complete disgrace" and stating that it will lead to vulnerable victims not getting justice.
John Hatami released this statement on his facebook yesterday
”For George Gascón, who knows absolutely nothing about being a VIP prosecutor (Vertical Impact Program and Prosecution), to disband this unit and claim he's "reorganizing* it is a complete disgrace. There will now be multiple vulnerable victims who may not get justice. This has absolutely nothing to do with "equity" or "transparency." It has to do with George destroying the DA's office. It's a sad day for Los Angeles.
The Gabriel Fernandez case originated out of VIP in the Antelope Valley Branch Office. I worked in the VIP unit in Antelope Valley for over 10 years handling thousands of physical and sexual child abuse, adult sexual assaults, domestic violence, hate crimes, elder abuse, internet crimes against children, and DV and child murders.
The VIP units have some of the most talented and dedicated prosecutors in LA County. They work directly with the community, medical experts, families, victims, and specialized law enforcement units. Communities in LA deserve prosecutors in those communities handling their cases.”
Gabriel Fernandez who would have turned 18 years old yesterday, was one of the most high-profile cases in recent years involving the murder of a young child, was handled by the VIP unit. The decision to disband the VIP unit comes just a day after a leaked memo asked for more staff in the special victims unit.
Gascon claims that he is "reorganizing" the VIP unit rather than disbanding it entirely, but the details of this restructuring are not yet clear. This move by Gascon has raised concerns about his commitment to victims of crime, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Critics argue that disbanding the VIP unit will lead to victims not getting the specialized attention and resources they need to bring their perpetrators to justice.
Gascon's policies and actions have led to a recall effort launched by a coalition of victims' rights advocates, community leaders, and law enforcement officials. The recall effort cites Gascon's failures in protecting victims and his pro-criminal policies as reasons for the recall.
Gascon has been criticized for his ban of prosecutors from attending parole hearings with victims or their family members, a directive that many see as being pro-criminal and anti-victim. He has also implemented Directive 20-06, which eliminates cash bail for most cases, including those involving child abuse and domestic violence, regardless of criminal history. This policy has been criticized by many, who argue that it puts victims at risk and allows violent criminals to go free before trial.