Last week WitnessLA reported (based on the word of multiple inside sources) that Probation Chief Donald Blevins had been informed the week before that his tenure in LA County Probation was over; he was being given the boot.
When other news outlets, like KPCC, called Probation to confirm our report they were told no such firing had take place. (Never mind that we know that Blevins’ employment situation was as we reported it.)
Now on Tuesday morning, the Supervisors will meet in a closed door session, the purpose being, according to their agenda, for: Interview and consideration of candidate for appointment to the position of Chief Probation Officer.
Last week Spokesperson Kerry Webb did confirm another pesky rumor—namely that last week Blevins left for a vacation that “had been planned months in advance ” reported the LA Times.
There was some muttering in and around some of the supervisors’ offices about the wisdom of the Probation Chief planning a vacation that kicked in just days before Los Angeles was to get an influx of parolees from the state to be overseen by LA County Probation.
But whatever. The beat goes on. More soon.
SINCE WE’RE ON THE TOPIC OF REALIGNMENT, MORE CITY OFFICIALS ARE PREDICTING DOOM AND GLOOM
The LA Times’ Joel Rubin and Andrew Blankstein report that the LAPD will be additionally burdened by the realignment parolees and that the mayor and others have expressed concern while a Governor’s aide calls all this public worrying political posturing.
Who is correct remains to be seen, although I do notice that, according to the article, the City of LA is predicting a much larger number of parolees to come to LA before the end of the year than the actual CDCR numbers reflect. Not sure what’s up with that.
THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIA INMATES RENEW HUNGER STRIKE, AND THE CDCR INVESTIGATES TWO STRIKE ATTORNEYS
I’m playing catch up on this story, but the very knowledgeable Michael Montgomery from California Watch
is doing great coverage. Here’s an excerpt from his latest.
Just days after thousands of California inmates renewed a hunger strike, two Bay Area attorneys closely involved in mediation efforts got a surprise: They were under investigation by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for allegations of misconduct and unspecified security threats.
The attorneys – Marilyn McMahon, executive director of California Prison Focus, and Carol Strickman of Legal Services for Prisoners With Children – have been banned from state institutions until the investigation is resolved, according to temporary exclusion orders signed by Corrections Undersecretary Scott Kernan on Sept. 29.
The investigation will determine whether the attorneys “violated the laws and policies governing the safe operations of institutions within the CDCR,” the order states.
The document does not provide details about the allegations.
SANDY BANKS ON SHERIFF LEE BACA AND THE JAILS ABUSE SCANDAL
Yesterday, I missed linking to Sandy Banks’ excellent and very welcome column about Sheriff Baca and the growing jails abuse scandal. If you’ve already seen it, great. If not, it’s a BIGTIME must read. Banks lays it all out for the Sheriff, with no punches pulled. For his sake as well as ours, I hope he is listening.
WHERE TO WATCH TUESDAY’S IPHONE 5 APPLESTRAVAGANZA
YES, it is presumed that the iPhone 5 is launching Tuesday at 10 am Pacific (not just the undramatic iPhone 4s).
And NO this is not a social justice issue.
It’s an Apple cult issue.
So if you too are a cult member, here’s where you can find out where to follow real-time commentary and/or live streaming.