L.A. councilmember Nithya Raman opposes $13 million LAPD vehicle purchase
Councilmember Nithya Raman voted against a $13 million plan to add 107 LAPD vehicles as the city prepares for the 2028 Olympics.
In a close 8-3 vote, Los Angeles City Council authorized $13.04 million in debt financing to acquire 107 LAPD vehicles, ranging from dual-purpose and unmarked cars to mobile substations. Nithya Raman, joined by fellow progressives Eunisses Hernandez and Ysabel Jurado, cast the sole dissenting votes. The new fleet is meant to support venue command, investigations and other tasks during the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has warned that the department faces a shortfall of more than 300 patrol vehicles and will need nearly 6,700 officers at peak times, yet the Olympic budget does not cover law-enforcement costs. Raman, who is challenging Mayor Karen Bass in the upcoming runoff, has shifted her stance on policing but continues to oppose major police-spending measures.
Why it matters
The vote highlights fiscal and security debates as Los Angeles readies for the 2028 Olympic Games.
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