LANCASTER – At a press conference Wednesday, local civil rights activists joined family members in calling for elected officials to create a civilian oversight board to look into the recent deputy-involved shootings of Darrell Logan Jr., Christian Cobian and Donald Handy.
However, Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris says such an entity is not needed because the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department already has “more oversight than you can imagine.”
“Those guys are investigated and investigated and investigated and the pressure that is put upon them is enormous,” said Parris at a luncheon Wednesday. “I didn’t hear anybody come up with a reason why a citizens oversight commission is going to help.”
Questioned after his State of the City address to the AV Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, Parris acknowledged the pain felt by those who’ve lost family members due to deputy-involved shootings, but said as mayor, his support had to go to the deputies.
“I know that their families are in enormous pain and if I wasn’t the mayor of this City, I wouldn’t be making these statements, but I am the mayor of this City and I’m leading this City, and we support our deputies until there’s a reason not to and then people are held accountable,” he said.
Parris dismissed accusations that deputies were targeting minorities.
“I think a lot of people have made a lot of political traction out of that accusation,” he said.
Rather, Parris said, deputies were doing what they were supposed to do, and what the City had asked them to do.
“Hard choices are being made,” he said. “Do I think they are targeting minorities? No, I don’t. I think that they are doing their jobs.”
Parris said the City was working on a process that would teach children what they are supposed to do when they encounter law enforcement.
“We have to teach our children this is not a game, this is not a time to be the warrior, and it is certainly not the time to make hand gestures,” Parris said. “We could do a lot better teaching our young people how to relate in those situations.”
CKAY says
Headline should read: Civilan Oversight over Perris Needed. No need to oversee his sheepish council since the poor lambs just do as their told.
CKAY says
Mr. Parris enjoys repeating he is “leading” our city. What scares many of us is where?
Mrs. Emma Davis says
If you are “scared” then leave! There are a million other towns or communities you can grace your presence with!
William says
I’m guessing CKAY was living here before Parris ascended to the throne.
Jacky Johnson says
Or maybe Rex should go back to where he came from. Palmdale. Now that would be entertaining.
CKAY says
I am scared but not so much as I am concerned with bigots like Mr. Perris and the frieghtned sheep like yourself who live for the day things can go back to the way they used to be. I can leave but your stuck here because you cannot live without a master like Rex and most communities will not tolerate them.
T,J, says
You have it wrong! Most communities will not tolerate people like you. Hit the road Jack!
CKAY says
More Perris sheep. I’ll it to put you so that even your bigoted narrow minded can understand. Baaaaaaaaaahh!
CKAY says
I appreciate bigots who convince themselves they own the town because their sheppard Mr. Perris tells them it OK to think that. Let us just call him Rex Sheppard since he leads his sheep so well. As for his leading the city? Better stick with sheep!
Kyle says
Do we really need to be to the point of being “scared”, as you put it, before we correct the system that allows abuses like this? You must be one of those”afraid-of-change” types.
Mike Rives says
A month before the shooting on J-4, I spoke to the AV Human Relations Commmission and recommended a Civilian Review Board (with a sheriff Lt present at the meeting.) At the last council meeting, I spoke in favor of a civilian review board and why I favored it. We need this board not continuation of the present multiple boards of the sheriff’s dept. When I am on the city council, I will continue to fight for a civilian review board.
justice4DDL says
Amen!
Maria G Grajeda says
NO MORE PRE-SCHOOLL FOR lANCASTER CHILDREN!!!!!
Darlene J. says
It sounds like you need to go back to preschool yourself and learn how to spell!
Kyle says
argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of the person supporting it.
LASDSupporter says
It’s too bad you didn’t teach your boys that felonies were wrong.
Kyle says
argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of the person supporting it. You are pathetic.
FRANK says
He wants the Sherrifs to be more agressive
jr says
WELL, WHY DON’T WE ALL JUST JUMP RIGHT ON THE R REX PARRIS BAND WAGON AND SUPPORT CITY SANCTIONED MURDER.
DON’T YOU THINK ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE DIED?
HOW MANY MORE DEATHS WILL IT TAKE TO SATISFY YOUR CRAVING FOR BLOOD?
THE PEOPLE OF THE ANTELOPE VALLEY SHOULD’NT HAVE LIVE IN FEAR OF OUT OF CONTROL COPS AND CITY OFFICIALS. ARE YOU RUNNING LOW ON GANG MEMBERS TO HARRASS AND SHOOT THAT YOU STARTED CRIMINAL PROFILING EVERYBODY FOR SOMETHING TO DO?
SO WHEN YOU CRIMINALY PROFILE SOMEONE, YOU ARE LOOKING TO SEE IF THEY LOOK LIKE A CRIMINAL. DAMN REX, THAT REALLY SUCKS IF YOU ARE BLACK OR HISPANIC. SO WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING CRIMINALLY PROFILED OR RACIALLY PROFILED. SEEMS TO ME YOU WOULD REACH THE SAME CONCLUSION. OMG I GUESS THAT MEANS IT’S OPEN SEASON ON EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD WHO LIVES OR VISITS HERE AND EVEN MORE SO IF YOU ARE A PERSON OF COLOR. YOU KNOW I BET IF WE TRACED YOUR ROOTS BACK WE WOULD FIND SOME COLOR IN THERE SOMEWHERE.
WELL PUTTING ALL THAT ASIDE, WHAT DO SAY BRO, HOW ABOUT YOU START LOOKING AND ACTING LIKE A REAL LEADER AND PUT A STOPPED TO ALL THESE KILLINGS, INSTEAD OF LOOKING AND ACTING LIKE AN OUT OF CONTROL FANATIC ON SOME KILLING SPREE.
ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE DIED!!! OR DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?
justice4DDL says
Very well said. He is PREJUDICE ENOUGH SAID.
William says
Parris has no credibility on anything ‘ecept, maybe trimming a beard.