A soft approach to crime by George Gascón leaves Angelenos frustrated as the death toll rises at the hands of improperly convicted criminals.
George Gascón, Los Angeles District Attorney, is facing criticism for allowing career criminals to walk the streets of Los Angeles without proper sentencing or repercussions for violations of their sentencing. The most recent victim of such soft policies was Dennis Banner. Banner was murdered in April of 2023 by career criminal, Jane Simone Brookfield, leaving his two children fatherless.
Brookfield’s crime spree began in 2020 when she was arrested for stabbing a woman in the chest with a knife. Gascón’s office reduced Brookfield’s sentence to assault with a deadly weapon (ADW) and instead of enforcing jail time, the District Attorney’s office permitted Brookfield to complete “mental health diversion.” Brookfield was found to be uncooperative in her “mental health diversion” plan and was seen evading her treatment sessions.
In the time of her absence, Brookfield was arrested on three separate occasions for battery against a police officer, threatening murder with a knife, and the attempted murder of a transit bus driver with a knife. Gascón’s office dismissed each case and ordered for further “mental health diversion” and “supervision” of Brookfield despite her record for avoiding court-mandated treatment.
The Banner family remains frustrated with the District Attorney’s office and the decisions that allowed for criminals such as Brookfield to walk the streets of Los Angeles in the first place. Gascón’s office spoke out on the incident claiming:
“We appreciate the public concern when someone is participating in a mental health program and allegedly commits a serious crime. Our prosecutors make the best decisions they can in light of all the available information. Our heart goes out to all the victims in this matter, and we stand ready to support them on their journey to healing.”
Gascón’s office repeatedly released a known career criminal back into the streets of Los Angeles with nothing more than prescribed mental health care with minimal to no enforcement. Some believe Gascón’s response to crime comes in stark contrast to his 2020 campaign platform built on “criminal justice reform.”
In response to recent events, Eric Siddall, the Vice President of the Los Angeles Association of Deputy Attorneys spoke out against Gascón stated:
“The time to build a functional mental health system was two and half years ago. Instead of doing so, George Gascon offered Tweets, press conferences, and his thoughts and prayers. That is not enough. It is irresponsible. And it’s dangerous. Releasing people back onto the streets with no supervision is not the answer. LA County needs to build out a system that includes lockdown mental health facilities to treat those with serious mental health concerns.”
