Homeless man from Venice allegedly raped two women, survivor says: ‘Vote accordingly’ | California

(The Center Square) – At a candlelight vigil for Sarah Alden, who died after being beaten and raped in Venice by a passing assailant reportedly identified as Anthony Jones, another Jones survivor implored the community to “please vote accordingly.”

About 100 community members, including firefighters, police officers, elected officials, Los Angeles mayoral staff, and friends and family of Alden and Mary Klein – Jones’ surviving victim of the two April 6 attacks – gathered for a candlelight vigil in the Venice Canals. The Venice Canals community, where homes are close together and in the middle of the residential area, sold for $4.6 million, is known for having a particularly close-knit community compared to other affluent neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Jones, described was reported by police to KTLA as a 6’1″, 200 pound, black, homeless male who allegedly attacked the women with a blunt object and then committed sex crimes between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. He is charged with murder, rape and sodomy, assault and torture. Jones was arrested in San Diego several days after the attacks and is being held without bail.

“What do you say to women who are afraid in their own neighborhood? How do you deal with the anger of a community that has been pushed to the brink?” Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents Venice, said at the vigil. “This should never have happened.”

“We will move forward united in our common purpose, determined to make Venice – the place Sarah loved – a place where women can walk without fear, where families and businesses can thrive, and where we are all safe.”

Klein, a single mother and nurse who was knocked unconscious and beaten nearly to death before being allegedly sexually assaulted, lost her front teeth and had her jaw wired shut after the attack.

“(Sarah) was a good citizen and an intelligent, vibrant person who paid her taxes and did everything right. Why are we here again?” Klein said at the vigil. “Remember, this could be your mother. So please vote accordingly.”

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon has accumulated Many blame him for the state of public safety in Los Angeles, as he has a backlog of 15,000 unfiled cases due to his policies emphasizing alternatives to incarceration. Gascon is running against former U.S. Attorney Nathan Hochman in the November 2024 election.

When a friend of Alden spoke to Klein, she shared her experiences with the increasing chaos in the community.

“It’s scary to walk in Venice,” she said. “I was walking down Main Street this Saturday and I had a panic attack in the parking lot because people were coming up to me and harassing me. I was pushed against the car. I don’t like that feeling. I don’t want to feel like I have to buy tasers and pepper spray to walk the streets in Santa Monica and Venice. Please help us change that.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass plans for 2024 budget — $300 billion less than last year as the city faces a $476 million deficit — calls for an increase in police spending from $1.9 billion to $2 billion. The Los Angeles Times says The number of officers is expected to increase by 574, bringing the total to 8,733, significantly less than the approximately 10,000 the force had deployed before the COVID-19 pandemic.