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By Mae Slater on
 January 9, 2025

LA Mayor Karen Bass Under Fire For Cutting Fire Department Budget

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass finds herself at the center of a burgeoning controversy as her decision to cut the city's fire department budget by $17.6 million comes under intense scrutiny in the wake of devastating wildfires.

The New York Post reported that the budget cuts, made during the 2024-25 fiscal year, sparked outrage as wildfires engulfed Los Angeles, claiming lives and causing significant destruction.

Mayor Bass's fiscal decisions were initially intended to reallocate resources towards homelessness, with a substantial budget of $1.3 billion set aside for this issue in 2023-2024.

In contrast, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) received a notably smaller allocation of $837 million. This financial adjustment coincided with the outbreak of three major wildfires in the city.

Wildfires Devastate Southern California Region

The wildfires, fueled by powerful 100-mph Santa Ana winds, wreaked havoc across several parts of the city, starting on a Tuesday and escalating dramatically by Wednesday.

The rapid spread of these fires necessitated the evacuation of 70,000 residents and resulted in the destruction of over 1,000 properties. Tragically, at least five lives were lost as the flames roared through neighborhoods.

Among the most significant blazes was the Pacific Palisades Fire, which expanded to cover more than 15,000 acres. Another, known as the Eaton Fire, swelled to 10,000 acres, rising sharply from just 2,000 acres in a single day. A smaller fire, the Hurst Fire, remained contained at around 500 acres.

The LAFD, confronted with the daunting task of controlling these blazes, made an unusual call for off-duty firefighters to assist in the firefighting efforts.

Reports also emerged of complications during the response, such as some fire hydrants running dry, further highlighting the challenges faced by the city’s fire crews.

As the city contended with the unfolding disaster, Mayor Bass was more than 7,000 miles away in Ghana. She was in the country attending the inauguration of President John Dramani Mahama as part of a delegation under the Biden administration. Her absence during this critical time drew sharp criticism from various quarters.

Rick Caruso, a prominent Los Angeles developer, was vocal in his disapproval, citing a failure of leadership. He encouraged the media to question the mayor's decision to be out of the country while the city faced such turmoil.

These sentiments were echoed by Ashley Hayek, president of America First Works, who criticized the mayor's priorities on social media.

Upon her return to Los Angeles on Wednesday, Bass promptly met with California Governor Gavin Newsom. However, she declined to address questions from reporters about the budget cuts, her trip to Ghana, or her accountability to Angelenos, leaving many questions unanswered.

Community and Public Figures Critique Actions

Community members affected by the fires voiced their frustrations as well. A resident who evacuated her home expressed bewilderment over the mayor’s location during the ongoing crisis. Questions about leadership competency echoed through the city.

Elon Musk, a notable figure with close ties to California, commented harshly on Mayor Bass’s handling of the situation, branding it as incompetence.

The public sentiment reflected a deep-seated concern for the city's preparedness and response capacity under her administration.

This incident has reignited a debate over the prioritization of city resources and the management choices made by its leaders. The fire department’s budget reduction, despite facing fierce winds and fast-moving fires, underscored the risks involved in such financial decisions.

The ongoing investigation into the preparedness and response to the wildfires is expected to bring more scrutiny to the funding decisions made by city officials. As rebuilding efforts commence, the community looks for accountability and strategic improvement in handling natural disasters.

Written By:
Mae Slater

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