Three weeks after WeHo’s top security ambassador made headlines over a prior conviction and prison sentence, Shea Gibson found himself inundated with support from the community.
Councilmember John Erickson presented Gibson with a proclamation from City Council at their meeting Monday night as members of the audience clapped and cheered.
“To know Shea and his dedication to our city, to our businesses, to our residents, is something that is exemplary,” Erickson said. “I’m not going to re-litigate the horrible things that have been said about someone with such upstanding value and honor in this community, but it goes without saying that on behalf of all of us sitting up here as well as those all watching at home, and to all of those people that you have truly made sure that they felt safe in our community, we owe you a debt of gratitude.”
While many WeHo residents were shocked and angered by Gibson’s criminal history, many others came to his defense. The chairman of WeHo’s Public Safety Commission called the coverage racist. The story was later picked up by national conservative media such as Breitbart.com, further inflaming the situation.
“(Gibson’s) story is one where he changed his life and he has become an asset to our community, to Block by Block, to our Sheriff’s station and working with the whole Public Safety Division,” Mayor Lauren Meister said. “And I say congratulations to him for being able to do that.”
Gibson thanked the Council and the Block by Block program for their support.
“I do appreciate everything that you all have been able to provide me with here as far as a canvas to kind of create art, if you will, as far as in the safety realm,” Gibson said. “I also want to thank all the people who have shown me support through this situation that we went through. I just want to continue doing the best job that I can hear and continue to try to raise the bar for the citizens of West Hollywood.”
During Public Comment, Public Safety Commissioner Kerri Balbone joined in saluting Gibson while asking for support for the Sheriff’s Department as well.
“Tonight was really important because we as a community rallied around Shea,” Balbone said. “Shea has lived his life to make up for probably some things that he regrets. I repeatedly come to this chamber and hear people talk about the Sheriff’s Department as if they are one organization or one group of people who all have the same behavior. And I think if we’re going to extend empathy and consideration, we need to do that in a balanced way. There are 9,000 people who work for L.A.S.D. and not all of them, especially those who come here to work for us and save lives, are all painted with the same broad brush. We have to give everybody balance and consideration, like we extended to Shea, and I hope that we continue to extend to our sheriffs.”
The bottom line is that Block By Block is a total scam. A convicted Robber and Murderer heads them. Millions of dollars will be wasted on Sepi Shyne’s reimagining policing. Who gets the commission? West Hollywood has been dangerous since “Mayor” Horvath linked up with three anti-family pro rioting BLM misandrists lesbians that destroyed West Hollywood businesses. Now we live in a scary city relying on the BBB farce safety “no guns”
We need a top to bottom revolution in West Hollywood. From City council to mandatory review and transparent city employee salaries!!! This little fiefdom is hosting some of the highest taxes in the nation, some of the most aggressive parking fines in the state and some of the most wasteful spending in the state.
#TimesUpWestHollywood
Block By Block, jobs for Bears of Very Little Brain.
They didn’t even have to give him the key to the city. He knows how to get in without one.
Such performative, nonsensical optics porn. It’s up there with Sebi and others doing a photo op at the Gay Starbucks, smiles and all, completely oblivious to the legit possibility that council’s move to hike minimum wage so staggeringly high pushed Starbucks out of the space. The knuckleheads known as city council are only capable of grandstanding irrelevant priorities that allows them a dopamine hit of false self importance which they often confuse as strong policy and good governance. Fools.
I think it’s awesome that Shea turned his life around, and his story is inspiring.
On that note, I agree with Balbone’s comment about NOT lumping all Sheriffs into one category, just as we shouldn’t lump Shea’s actions into one “bad” category. People are too quick to claim that the whole of the LASD is bad, which is certainly not the case. We need to respect and support our sheriffs and BBB. Also, we need more sheriffs!
Balbone could have not said it better than myself. If we are going to look into Block by Block’s dirty laundry, then let us look into the deputies who serve us.
Thank you to Kerri for bringing heart into the conversation. I agree with you Randy police accountability is what all of us want.. from my perspective the defund angling is political theater
Could someone explain to me what Block by Block has actually done? Not just that would need public kudos from the Council (which should be reserved for going above and beyond, not just doing what you’re paid for) but what they actually DO. I’ve never seen them that I know.
Lol. The gays really know how to pick them. He should be rewarded with the Medal of Honor, a key to the city, and a welcome mat to my house. Screw the police and let’s honor this man. Yes!!!!!! God bless West Hollywood and what it has become. A laughing stock. Y’all are crazy.
Let’s get something STRAIGHT! The “CITY” (the people) did no such thing. Scamming, low life, pompous fiefdoms gave this man a piece of paper. (not worth the ink on it)
As far as the CITY is concern, the city council EMPLOYEES of the people know exactly what the CITY thinks of him and their George Soros sponsored lunatic DEFUND the POLICE scam!!!
Will this city accept Ed Buck back with open arms if he survives his unjust prison sentence or will they be the usual hypocrites after accepting this murderer with open arms?
I heard they are going to have two Ambassadors at every city council meeting along with the two assigned Deputies. Why don’t they free up those deputies and just have their beloved Ambassadors guard the council? Oh that’s right, the deputies are armed. They hate guns unless they’re being used for their own security.