HAHN FOR MAYOR
18553 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, CA 91356

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CAMPAIGN OFFICE
MAY 23, 2001	818/705-6337

CRIME VICTIM ADVOCATES, SUPERVISOR ANTONOVICH ANNOUNCE SUPPORT FOR HAHN

Los Angeles City Attorney and candidate for mayor Jim Hahn today stood with Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and advocates of crime victims as they announced their support for his mayoral candidacy. At the County Hall of Administration, Hahn's supporters said that he is the best candidate to address the public safety issues that will be a priority for the next mayor of Los Angeles.

"I am very pleased to endorse the individual who can bring the City of Los Angeles up to the counter to deal with very important issues of public safety," said Antonovich. "Today, the City of Los Angeles Police Department’s morale is at its lowest. We find that recruitment is down … The next mayor, Jim Hahn, will provide leadership for public safety to ensure that the police department has the resources to deal with what they are responsible for – safe streets."

Crime victim advocates Jackie Knezevich and Ruett Foster also voiced their support for Hahn. Foster lost his son Evan to gun violence. Knezevich's mother was tragically murdered in 1993. As an Executive Board Member of the Doris Tate Crime Victims Bureau, Knezevich testified on public safety legislation when Villaraigosa was a member of California State Assembly.

"I think that it's very important that everyone know that our experience with Mr. Hahn's opponent, Mr. Villaraigosa, was not good," said Knezevich. "(Villaraigosa) consistently supported criminal rights over victim rights. I have to tell you that when we knew that we would have to deal with him with respect to getting a vote our way, we were in trouble."

"One of the major priorities for business growth and economic development is public safety," said Charlie Woo, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, which recently endorsed Hahn. "It is bad for business if employees are afraid to come to Los Angeles to work. It is bad for business and bad for the city when customers are afraid to come to do business in Los Angeles."

"Our victim assistance program in the City Attorney's Office provides assistance to people -- sometimes in the worst time of their lives -- when they have lost a loved one or when they have been injured as a victim of a crime," said Hahn. "It's that part of government that I believe in so strongly; that we’re here to help people in those worst moments."