Brown Re-Elected for Second Term as Chair of California Commission on Aging
Last week, the California Commission on Aging (CCoA) announced that it has re-elected Cheryl Brown as its Chair at its Nov. 9, general meeting in Sacramento.
“Chair Brown will guide the Commission with Vice-Chair David Lindeman, who was also re-elected for the 2024 term,” read the press statement from the CCoA.
Brown, who served two terms in the Assembly representing the 47th district from 2012 to 2016, brings a diverse personal, professional and public experience, as well as range of skills, to her role on the Commission, including working as a family caregiver. Brown has served as a county urban planner and she is the former co-publisher of the Black Voice News in Riverside along with her husband Hardy Brown.
After winning re-election, Brown thanked the CCoA.
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“I believe in the “California for All” message. To that effort, I want to make multi-generational activities key. We will celebrate 50 Years as a Commission next year and I’m looking forward to leading that effort,” said Brown, who served as a founding member of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the California Master Plan on Aging (MPA), in a statement.
The CCoA praised Brown for her accomplishments during her first term.
“Chair Brown led the advancement of CCoA policy priorities, and legislation, and raised the visibility of the Commission,” the statement read.
Plan to Fight Smash-and-Grab Retail Theft During Holiday Season
A video recently went viral online showing a brazen flash mob of about 17 young people robbing a Nike store in Watts, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. The culprits got away with an estimated $12,000 worth of goods.
This incident along with many others like it capturing the growing incidents of violent store heists in the Golden State prompted State and Local Law Enforcement to highlight new and intensified efforts to combat theft during the holiday shopping season.
On Nov. 20, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is increasing statewide efforts to combat organized retail crime.
“When criminals run out of stores with stolen goods, they need to be arrested and escorted directly into jail cells,” Newsom said in a statement. “Leveraging hundreds of millions of dollars in law enforcement investments, the California Highway Patrol — working with allied agencies — is increasing enforcement efforts and conducting and supporting covert and confidential takedowns to stop these criminals in their tracks during the holiday season, and year-round.”
As part of the Governor’s Real Public Safety Plan, the CHP is increasing its law enforcement presence in key retail districts across California and its Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) is increasing enforcement efforts through proactive and confidential law enforcement operations with allied agencies and retail store security outfits through the holidays — keeping more shoppers, merchants, and retail districts safe.
The Governor’s office hosted a news briefing featuring California Highway Patrol (CHP) Commissioner Sean Duryee, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
“The men and women of the California Highway Patrol are working around the clock to keep shoppers, merchants, and retail districts safe this holiday season– and year-round,” said Duryee. “Much of our task force’s success can be attributed to the strong working relationships we have with our law enforcement partners throughout the state and the rapport we have cultivated with the retail industry.”
“My office takes these cases seriously and will continue to do our part to hold those who engage in this behavior accountable,” said Jenkins. “These crimes are deeply impactful and will not be tolerated. Law enforcement agencies are working together to identify, arrest, and prosecute the thieves and those who traffic in stolen merchandise.”
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney John McKinney has been a vocal critic of current DA George Gascón because the Sheriff’s Department will no longer detain suspects over crimes like theft and shoplifting since new zero-bail policy went into effect on Oct. 1.
“These robberies aren’t borne out of desperation. They’re the result of having a district attorney who won’t enforce the law,” McKinney told California Black Media. “As long as criminals know there won’t be any accountability for their actions, then retail businesses of all sizes will continue to operate in constant fear and eventually depart for safer cities. Beefing up law enforcement may provide some deterrence, but, ultimately, we need a district attorney that understands accountability is a necessary part of a safe and functioning society.”
