To give some context, the area this was filmed is the heart of an ongoing railway theft spree. This has happened for months and was only recently brought to the public's attention.
Under Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, many of those arrested for railway theft are back on the streets within 24 hours. Almost none of those arrested are ever prosecuted. According to Gascón, this is due to "insufficient evidence."
In a recent letter from Union Pacific to Gascón on Dec 20, 2021, it was revealed that over 90 containers are compromised per day. The letter states that despite over 100 railway theft arrests having been made, Union Pacific has NOT ONCE been contacted about follow-up court proceedings, meaning prosecution is nonexistent. Finally, the letter states that there has been a 160% increase in railway theft over the last year.
After Gascón was sworn in as Los Angeles D.A, he issued "Special Directive 20-07" which listed a host of misdemeanor offenses which were to be declined or dismissed before arraignment. The offenses include trespassing, disturbing the peace, driving with no license or a suspended license, making criminal threats, drug possession, drinking in public, loitering to commit prostitution and resisting arrest, and more.
