L.A. council candidate takes heat for saying ‘F— the police’ while discussing LAPD spending

L.A. 14th Council District candidates Ysabel Jurado, left, and Kevin de León have been battling over the issue of police spending. The candidate running to unseat Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León faced sharp criticism Monday for saying “F— the police” at a recent meet-and-greet with college students. “Every day, the men and women of the LAPD put their lives on the line to keep the people of Los Angeles safe, and I wish more people valued their sacrifice.” The Los Angeles Police Protective League, a union that represents about 8,800 police officers, also weighed in, calling Jurado’s comments “nonsensical.” “Her world view of ‘F— the police’ conflicts with the hopes and aspirations of residents who want to feel safe in their homes, at their parks and schools and in their neighborhoods,” said the union’s board of directors. However, Jurado’s words on the recording more closely match lyrics to Kanye West’s “All Falls Down,” which features the line, “I say ‘F— the police,’ that’s how I treat ’em.” West now goes by Ye. “Why would the police want to work with her with that mentality?” Jurado, in her statement, said she is prepared to work with the LAPD and other council members, including those she “may not always see eye to eye with.” In recent weeks, De León’s campaign has sent mailers to voters warning that Jurado intends to “defund and abolish the police.” At candidate forums, he has accused her of identifying herself as an abolitionist — a supporter of the elimination of police and prisons — on a candidate questionnaire submitted to the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA.