(Sacramento - May 30, 2019) – This week, the California State Assembly voted (77-3) to approve Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Sr.’s (D – South Los Angeles) Assembly Bill (AB) 1754, legislation that establishes a California Olympic and Paralympic Public Safety Command (COPPSC) for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“With attendance anticipated to be in the millions, preparation for the security of the 2028 Olympic Games is critical,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer, Sr. “The COPPSC will be instrumental in facilitating the planning, resourcing, and management of security at the Olympics and ensuring that standard public services are maintained in neighborhoods, like South Los Angeles in my district.”
This bill requires the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to establish the COPPSC, based on a model successfully utilized by the state of Utah ahead of their 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. COPPSC’s central role will be to allow for public safety preparation and coordination in the years leading up to the Games and ensure collaboration and organization between federal, state and local police agencies, fire and emergency medical departments, and emergency management operations.
“As the Assembly Chair of Public Safety and former Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the city of Los Angeles, I know firsthand the importance of planning and readiness,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer, Sr. “I am proud that the state of California recognizes coordination, management and early preparation for the 2028 Games cannot be overlooked.”
AB 1754 now heads to the State Senate.
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Assemblymember Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, Sr. represents South Los Angeles, Florence-Firestone, Walnut Park, and a portion of Huntington Park. For more information about Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer, Sr., please visit https://a57.asmdc.org/