Last week, in a room full of students at California State University, Los Angeles, a young man told Los Angeles City Council candidate Isabel Jurado that he supported the idea of ​​abolishing the police and wanted to know her position on the issue. .

Jurado’s response, which included the phrase “Police, I think so,” drew harsh criticism from some on the East Side this week, leading to his bid to unseat City Councilman Kevin de Leon. It is said that

De Leon confirmed Wednesday that one of his staff members, Martin Perez, was the California State University, Los Angeles student who asked the questions.

Mr. de León declined to say whether Mr. Perez, who handles voter services in his office, recorded Mr. Jurado’s remarks. The statement was first published on the newspaper’s website on Monday. Westside Current. But he praised his aides, saying Jurado had dodged questions about police abolition.

“He got the answers we were looking for. [during] “She debated five times in a row about why she wanted to abolish the police,” he said. “And she confirmed it with a very vulgar and crude ‘F-police.’

Mr. Jurado’s remarks at a handshake at California State University Los Angeles were an unexpected shock to the campaign for the 14th District, which includes all or parts of Downtown, Boyle Heights, El Sereno and Eagle Rock. De Leon is struggling to emerge from a two-year scandal over separate recordings (one that included crude and racist remarks) and is seeking support from Tennant, who has never run for office before. He faces a fierce adversary in Frado, a rights lawyer.

Councilor Monica Rodriguez called Jurado’s use of the term immature and Councilor Bob Blumenfield called it “incredibly offensive.” The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which supports de Leon and represents approximately 8,800 officers, is currently on air. 30 second attack ad Criticize Jurado.

“Her plan for public safety begins with the F-bomb,” the ad reads.

In recent weeks, Mr. Jurado has pushed back on claims that he intends to defund the police, while insisting that too much money is being spent on the Los Angeles Police Department and that the city is on the brink of financial crisis. did.

On Monday, she downplayed her use of “F – the Police,” saying it was “just a lyric” in a rap song. Although she didn’t specify which song, her wording is similar to parts of NWA’s “Fuck Tha Police” and Kanye West’s “All Falls Down.”

Jurado declined to comment about Perez on Wednesday. But she described the police union’s ad as “just noise.”

“Our community is focused on how to put food on the table and pay rent on time, not the lyrics of a song,” she said in a statement. “That’s why we are more determined than ever to advance their needs and be their advocates at City Hall. This campaign is about results, not distraction. ”

Mr. Perez declined an interview request from The Times. In the recording of the handshake, he began the question by mentioning that he lives in the Congressional District and is “a punk guy from East Los Angeles.”

Elliot Avila, a student at California State University, Los Angeles, who participated in the discussion, said more than a dozen people attended the event, and several recorded different questions and answers. Nevertheless, Mr. Avila said he believed Mr. Perez recorded Mr. Jurado’s statements.

“He claims to be a police abolitionist and is clearly working for Kevin de Leon,” he said. “He’s probably the only one who has the motive to do that.”

Avila, who plans to vote for Jurado, said her perfect answer to the repeal issue is actually “centrist.” After using the phrase “F— police,” Jurado noted that some voters want more police and said the LAPD needs to focus on violent crime.

“She met [Perez] He was in his original position, but then he returned to a more centrist and pragmatic position,” Avila said. “I wish she would have been tougher against the police.”

According to a close aide to de Leon, Perez has been serving as his aide for about a year and a half. LinkedIn profile. According to his profile, he founded and ran a clothing company in the “vibrant East Los Angeles punk scene,” while also working as a security guard.

Mr. Perez has volunteered for Mr. de Leon’s re-election campaign, door-knocking, phone banking, and has created “art for tote bags used by other staff members,” according to his profile. There is.

In a questionnaire submitted to the Democratic Socialist Party of Los Angeles, Jurado identified herself as an abolitionist, someone who supports “abolition of the police and the prison-industrial complex.”

De Leon criticized that stance, saying it would expose neighborhoods from downtown to Boyle Heights to more violent crime. Earlier this week, he called Jurado’s use of the F-bomb “irresponsible” and said wealthy neighborhoods always have the capacity to employ security guards.

“Poor communities, low-income communities, communities that are struggling to make ends meet deserve the same public safety,” he told KTLA.

Jurado said he wants to reverse his plan to defund the Los Angeles Police Department and have officers focus on gangs, drugs and violent crime.

During her campaign, she also argued that the city’s approach to public safety was “not working,” saying more money should be devoted to streetlights, sidewalk repairs and youth programs.