LAPD Union Alleges Secret DSA Agenda by Mayoral Candidate Nithya Raman

The Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) has accused mayoral candidate Nithya Raman of harboring a "secret agenda" to advance the policies of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA-LA) if she wins the mayoral race. Tom Saggau, spokesperson for the union representing 8,700 LAPD officers, stated that Raman and her supporters aim to implement a "socialist regime" in Los Angeles, alleging they are "wolves masquerading as sheep" skilled in misinformation.

According to the LAPPL, Raman has been unwilling to directly address specific policy demands outlined on the DSA-LA's website, which include significant reductions in police funding, the closure of jails, and further decriminalization of drug use. The union claims that the DSA-LA's agenda also proposes replacing police officers with unarmed personnel for tasks like traffic enforcement and mental health calls, and opposes the city's anti-camping ordinance, which prohibits homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools.

Other key policy points attributed to DSA-LA include calls to "expropriate privately owned housing," expand public ownership of businesses and services, implement free public transport, universal rent control, and a "vacancy tax" on landlords. The group also advocates for restricting short-term rentals and extending voting rights to non-citizen residents in local elections.

Raman has maintained connections with the DSA throughout her political career, with the organization endorsing her initial City Council campaign in 2020 and supporting her subsequent re-election. However, her stance on certain DSA tenets has drawn scrutiny. In May, she reportedly softened her "defund the police" rhetoric in an interview with CNN but later declined to directly answer questions on the subject.

Recent actions by Raman on the City Council have also come under fire. She voted against $100,000 in funding for the LAPD's participation in the Joint Regional Intelligence Center, an initiative that facilitates information sharing between federal and local agencies on terrorism and criminal threats. Conversely, she voted in favor of $320,000 in federal funds for LAPD de-escalation training for recruits.

The LAPPL has conducted focus groups with voters who expressed alarm upon learning about the DSA-LA's platform, particularly the proposal to "expropriate privately owned housing." Saggau noted that participants, especially those from Armenian and Jewish communities, had "visceral reactions" due to historical experiences with property seizure.

City Councilwoman Traci Park voiced concerns, stating that her predecessor, Mike Bonin, supported policies aligned with the DSA-LA agenda, including efforts to cut LAPD hiring and oppose the city's anti-camping law. She warned that voters should view this as a "cautionary tale."

Susan Collins, who previously led a recall effort against Raman, suggested that DSA-backed policies could pressure property owners indirectly through regulations. Nico Ruderman, a member of the Venice Neighborhood Council, echoed these concerns, citing negative experiences on the Westside with policies he believes are similar to those advocated by DSA-LA, including issues with encampments near schools.

The LAPPL intends to make the DSA's platform a central issue in the mayoral race between Raman and incumbent Mayor Karen Bass. The union has released a voter guide summarizing key DSA-LA positions on issues such as private property, businesses, homeless encampments, and policing. The union plans to release digital ads featuring homeowners and business owners reacting to the DSA's property provisions. The DSA-LA did not respond to requests for comment.