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Public commenters press council to remove LAPD chief, raise policing and housing concerns

Los Angeles City Council · November 1, 2025

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Summary

During a lengthy public comment period, dozens of residents urged the City Council to remove LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, accused police of excessive force against protesters and press, and raised housing concerns including RV impacts, RSO formula changes and opposition to a potential mandate requiring air conditioning in small rental units.

A large number of public commenters at the Oct. 31 Los Angeles City Council meeting focused on allegations of police misconduct and urged the removal of LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. Speakers described arrests of protesters and journalists, alleged escalation by police at demonstrations, and called on councilmembers to use the council’s authority to change department leadership.

Multiple commenters accused police of brutality and suppression of protests. One speaker told the council the police “están agrediendo a manifestadores y prensas,” and several asked the body to remove the police chief by a two-thirds vote. Other comments alleged cooperation between local police and federal immigration enforcement (ICE) and linked police tactics with intimidation of organizers.

Public comment also covered housing and tenant issues. Apartment owners and property representatives urged the council to reconsider proposed changes to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) formula, arguing increased costs would harm small landlords; one owner asked the council to avoid a mandate to force small landlords to install air conditioning because it would raise operating costs. Several speakers repeated support for the council’s temporary RV storage action, urging site fencing and street-cleaning funds and citing impacts to youth programs and parking.

The clerk closed public comment after an extended period. The transcript records numerous individual speakers and repeated themes but does not record any formal council action taken during public comment other than acknowledgement and a brief response by councilmembers thanking speakers and urging further engagement.