Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has joined law enforcement legions, warning that vaccine mandates will lead to mass exodus among first responders.
In a statement last week, Villanueva said 20 to 30 percent of his workforce will not be able to supply the city if the vaccine’s mandate takes effect in full.
“I have repeatedly pointed out the dangers to public safety when 20-30% of my workforce is no longer available to provide services, and these dangers are fast becoming a reality,” Villanueva he said. “We are experiencing an increase in unplanned retirements, claims for compensation from workers, redundant employees, and a decrease in the number of qualified candidates.”
“As a result, homicide rates will continue to rise, response times will increase, rescue rates will be reduced, arrests will be reduced, patrol services will be significantly reduced and patrol stations will be closed,” he added.
A protester confronts police as he protests against the death of George Floyd in Los Angeles, California, on May 29, 2020. (Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images)
Villanueva said the tenure pushed some officers into early retirement, while others finally decided to “get those surgeries that were delayed due to injuries they suffered in their careers (knees, shoulders, back, etc.). .) “.
Although he respected other people’s decisions not to receive it, Villanueva did not refuse the coronavirus vaccines, as he admitted that he had received both doses and that the “vaccines were working”.
“I have been vaccinated personally and I believe the vaccine works, but the choice for the vaccine is personal and an individual who tirelessly served the community before the vaccine was should not be fired now because he decided for himself. body, ”he concluded.
A policewoman fences the area in front of Jack in the Box restaurant in Hollywood, California, on January 31, 2017, after police shot and killed a suspect who is in the arms of a restaurant after a series of crates nearby. . (Photo credit for ROBYN BECK / AFP via Getty Images)
The LA County Supervisory Board ratified an executive order in August requiring all Los Angeles County employees to submit their vaccination status. Michael Wilson, District Spokesman, said the Los Angeles Times that up to 90 percent of county employees have submitted vaccination status. Some statistics, after hours:
According to preliminary data collected by the county, more than half of the 16,084 employees in the sheriff’s department are fully vaccinated. Almost 300 of them are half-vaccinated. Another 2,327 employees have not been vaccinated, and 1,843 are asking for exemption.
Of the 9,656 sworn staff sheriffs, 3,942 have been fully vaccinated, according to county records. 188 workers are partially vaccinated, 1,698 are not vaccinated and almost 1,369 are looking for exceptions.
According to the county, of the 6,428 civil servants in the department, 4,238 are fully vaccinated. About 100 are semi-vaccinated and 629 are unvaccinated. Another 474 workers are asking for exceptions.
District officials who have not submitted vaccination status will soon be called upon to serve a term of 45 days or face a five-day suspension, after which they have 30 days to comply before further disciplinary punishment.
In an interview with Fox News last week, Andrew Ansbro, head of the New York Fire Department, warned that Mayor Bill de Blasio’s mandate to vaccinate would plunge the city into chaos and extend emergency response times due to staff shortages.
“There is simply no staff; there is no possibility of that, ”Ansbro he said. “Response times will go through the roof. We simply will not be able to get to emergencies in time. “
“The fires will burn longer. Heart attack victims will lie on the floor longer, ”he added. “People in stuck elevators will be stuck there for hours, if not days.”