ANCA, Southern California Democrats and Republicans Host Town Hall Meeting with LA County Sheriff Robert Luna

July 25, 2023

BURBANK, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) partnered with Southern California Armenian Democrats (SCAD) and the National Organization of Republican Armenians (NORA) to host a town hall meeting aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration between the Armenian community and law enforcement. The event took place at the Armenian Center in Burbank, with a significant turnout of community members in attendance.

The July 19th town hall meeting provided an invaluable opportunity for community members to engage in an open and constructive dialogue with Sheriff Robert Luna, representing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The discussions centered around key topics such as community safety, recruitment efforts, and strengthening the partnership between law enforcement and the Armenian community.

During the event, Sheriff Luna addressed the concerns raised by the community regarding targeted hate crimes against Armenians in Los Angeles. He assured the attendees that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department takes these incidents seriously and is committed to thoroughly investigating, preventing, and prosecuting such crimes. Sheriff Luna emphasized the importance of justice and ensuring the safety of all community members.

One of the significant announcements made by Sheriff Luna was his commitment to increasing the representation of Armenians within the Sheriff’s Department. Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusivity, Sheriff Luna shared plans to actively recruit and hire more Armenian individuals to join the force. This initiative aims to create a stronger bond between law enforcement and the Armenian community, fostering understanding and trust.

Sheriff Luna expressed his satisfaction with the town hall meeting, stating, “I was pleased to attend the Armenian Townhall and enjoyed engaging with community members. I look forward to keeping the lines of communication open.” His presence and active participation demonstrated his dedication to listening to the concerns of the Armenian community and working toward solutions.

In addition to discussing community safety and recruitment efforts, Sheriff Luna also shared insights into the department’s plans for major upcoming events, such as the World Cup and the Olympics. The Sheriff highlighted ongoing preparations and emphasized the department’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all participants and spectators during these international gatherings. Sheriff Luna encouraged the community to actively engage and provided an overview of the measures being taken to ensure a successful and secure experience for everyone.

ANCA National Board member Aida Dimejian expressed her gratitude to the local ANCA chapters, Southern California Armenian Democrats, and the National Organization of Republican Armenians for their collaboration in organizing this crucial town hall. “This town hall meeting is a testament to the strength and resilience of our community. We are committed to working together with law enforcement to address concerns and build a safer future,” stated Dimejian.

Jack Kayajian, Southern California Armenian Democrats (SCAD) Event Committee Chair, remarked, “The town hall meeting provided a vital platform for our community to voice concerns and establish a stronger relationship with law enforcement. We look forward to further collaborations and town hall meetings that promote transparency and understanding.”

Lucy Petrossian, Chairperson of ANCA-Glendale, expressed her satisfaction with the outcomes of the town hall meeting, stating, “This gathering exemplifies the power of community engagement and the importance of open dialogue. We appreciate Sheriff Luna’s commitment to addressing the needs of our community and his proactive approach to increasing representation within the Sheriff’s Department.”

The town hall meeting concluded with a sense of optimism and a commitment to continued collaboration between the Armenian community and law enforcement. The organizers expressed their gratitude to Sheriff Robert Luna for his participation and valuable insights.

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About the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA):
The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States, the ANCA actively advances issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

About Southern California Armenian Democrats:
Southern California Armenian Democrats (SCAD) is the first and the largest Armenian-American Democratic entity in California & U.S. SCAD’s goals are to represent the collective Armenian-American viewpoint on matters and policies of the Democratic Party, increase and strengthen the number of Armenian-American Democrats, influence and guide California State policy on matters of interest to the Armenian-American community, promote the election of Armenian-American Democrats to political offices, and maintain the viability of our free institutions.

About the National Organization of Republican Armenians:
The National Organization of Republican Armenians is an organization dedicated to promoting Republican values, supporting candidates who champion issues important to the Armenian community, and fostering civic engagement among Armenian Americans.