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The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is taking a new approach to identify and prosecute protesters involved in violent acts. Starting Tuesday, a team of experienced prosecutors will begin analyzing police arrest reports and combing through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to track down individuals who assaulted officers and vandalized public property.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized the office's commitment to holding offenders accountable. "You want to put officers’ lives in danger, damage public property, we are going to hold you accountable," Hochman told NBC Los Angeles. He noted that while the majority of protesters were peaceful, those who committed crimes might mistakenly believe they will face mild consequences. Hochman warned, "People might believe that the DA would give you a slap on the wrist. I don’t want anyone coming back saying, I didn’t know this was coming, because it will."
The initiative aims to identify and prosecute those responsible for violent acts during protests, ensuring that justice is served. The district attorney’s office is determined to track these individuals down, even if it takes time. Hochman declined to comment on the ongoing dispute between President Trump and Governor Newsom regarding the deployment of the National Guard.