As Sepi Shyne assumes the ceremonial role of Mayor, there is a different kind of tone to her leadership.
Last week’s City Council meeting included a robust public comment period in which WeHo resident Annie Jump Vicente, a trans woman, protested her treatment and recent arrest by the Sheriff’s Department. Vincent was charged Dec. 7 with obstructing a domestic violence investigation at her apartment building.
During the City Council meeting, Shyne revealed she has intervened in the case by asking that charges against Vincent be dropped.
“I just wanted to let you know I hear you,” Shyne told Vincent. “I thank you for giving public comment tonight. I saw what happened and it was really sad to see how you were arrested. I saw you getting misgendered multiple times. When trans folks get mis-gendered, it is an act of violence — which is absolutely unacceptable for the deputies to commit this type of act of violence in the City of West Hollywood, because we were created by our founders, one of whom is sitting on the dais with us, to protect all our residents. I have already and will on the record request that the charges against you be dropped.”
“As far as firing the officers, I am not sure that is in our power,” Shyne continued. “In fact, I do not think it is. I would like our city attorney or Community Safety director to provide information on the procedures that can be followed for the filing of grievance and for the captain to provide information on what happened.”
Captain Bill Moulder of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station issued the following statement with regards to the incident:
On Wednesday December 7th, 2022, at approximately 3:03 pm, West Hollywood Station received a priority call for service regarding a domestic violence incident.
Deputies responded to the 1100 block of Poinsettia Drive, in the City of West Hollywood, regarding the domestic violence call. Upon arrival, an irate female white, adult, unrelated to the domestic violence incident, approached Deputies and stood at the entrance of the apartment complex, not allowing Deputies to enter the location and conduct their investigation. In domestic violence incidents, every second is critical for the safety of victims involved. As a result of the female preventing Deputies from entering the apartment complex to get to the domestic violence incident, a use of force occurred and the female was arrested for obstructing the Deputies in the lawful course of their duties.
Deputies were then able to go to the apartment where the alleged domestic violence incident was occurring. Deputies contacted a male, who was home alone. He said his girlfriend had not been there for a couple days. A protective sweep of the location was conducted and no one else was located in the apartment.West Hollywood Station Detectives are in the preliminary stages of their investigation. The investigation is ongoing and there is no additional information available at this time. We are also investigating if this was a false report of an emergency. That is a separate investigation.”
It is unusual for a city councilmember to intervene in a legal proceeding. It is even more unusual for any citizen to receive special treatment after disrupting both the Sheriff’s investigation and the City Council meeting in real time.
Shyne’s actions here have likely set a broad new precedent that leaves many questions unanswered.
How much power do WeHo’s elected officials have over the Sheriff’s department and their procedures? Should they be able to ask that charges in ongoing cases be dropped, or conversely, to have deputies open new investigations at their request?
As WeHo residents, should we be presenting our own private disputes with law enforcement agencies to City Council during the public comment period? Would we be given the same level of attention, prompt response and favorable treatment as was given to Vincent? Do those officers really deserve to be fired?
Is it possible the whole thing was a setup? You read Moulder’s report above ” We are also investigating if this was a false report of an emergency.” Did Shyne jump to conclusions ?
We are fortunate to have a mayor and councilmembers who are familiar with our individual needs — but it must not become a special privilege, reserved for certain community members and not others. We need guidelines — what we can ask for, how to ask for it, and what is off limits. Our leaders need to know these things, too.
“Misgendering is an act of violence”
What kind of clown show is the city council now? Wow.
For the record, someone in the building called the police using my name. That person was attempting to setup a tenant in my building and I intervened. Come to find out while sitting in the back of the cop car, that person who reported it said their name is “Annie.” So, the sheriff’s arrested the person that they believe called for the emergency. That is the false police report. Larry, why didn’t you ask for a word from me? I would’ve spoken with you. This is bad journalism if you’re not reaching out to the people you’re writing about and… Read more »
Annie, Ive sent you multiple emails and never got a response. Check your spam, 12.27 at 5:10 pm, 12/28 at 9:48 am, and 1/23 at 6:44 pm. Received and replied to your email earlier today.
nope, nothing. will look forward to another. I mean, you can also say hello at City Council meetings. I figure you must be there if you’re writing about it..
listening from home, im partially sighted and hard to see anything at the chamber, they got rid of those closed captions. One day soon.
What’s a better clip to summarize WeHo going forward? Is it this one? Or perhaps this one
What’s a better clip to summarize WeHo going forward? Is it this one? Or perhaps this one
To the city council There is separation of powers in the constitution, the same one you swear an oath to when elected. It also makes efforts and strict contingencies for the three branches (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) of government not be blurred or either one over reaching or over stepping their powers! This is the first thing in political science and governmental affairs courses at college or university that you are taught! Without those protections in place that blocks intrusion or retaliation of elected officials who could be charged criminally by people in power or heads of state and government!… Read more »
Good to review and remember.
Annie Jump Vicente might make a great campaign manager for Sepi. Birds of a feather share political favors.
I truly hope she legally has zero control over the police force or this will become a major issue to kick off her year of ceremonial power.
This is truly next-level frightening. If elected officials have the power to 1) have charges dropped against someone (ironically, this is the most Trumpian thing you could do after tax evasion), and 2) fire any employ (city or contracted) at will, then they’re essentially all-powerful for the duration of their term. This is absolutely unacceptable, and no one should be standing for this or allowing this to happen. On the second part of that paragraph “should [elected officials] be able to ask that charges in ongoing cases be dropped, or conversely, to have deputies open new investigations at their request”,… Read more »
The city contracts with LASD. They have the power to terminate it. Who do you think made the original agreement for them to be our law enforcement, and not LAPD? Also, city employees sign an agreement that they may be terminated at-will. So, yes, they can be. However, individuals sheriff’s are not employed by WeHo. LASD would need to fire them. However, WeHO City Council can demand that these specific sheriff’s may not work within WeHo jurisdiction. City Council can also demand that no sheriff’s that belong to the gang the Bandits may work within WeHo jurisdiction. They would still… Read more »
Personally, I think something is mentally wrong with this woman, she’s getting scary. Hers is not normal behavior. She’s so obsessed with personal power that she’s oblivious to reality & what’s going on with people around her. Her in-your-face militant behavior does not portend well for the future of West Hollywood.
I agree. Sepi Shyne has been showing signs of mental illness for a long time. Her grandiose fantasies are a scary indication of what’s to come. I hope she receives psychiatric care/appropriate medication as soon as possible.
When Sepi campaigned she appeared low key as a careful attorney . Who would think that was hiding a hateful and controlling demeanor steeped in self promotion and vengeance. Her misrepresentations only cloud a very disturbing picture of an unbalanced individual. If not mentally ill she most certainly evidences a severe personality disorder not appropriate for governance. I’ll bet she even fooled John Heilman when he appointed her as a commissioner. 🙄
When are we standing outside of city hall to get this narcissistic nut job out of office?? Let me know time and date
Annie Jump Vicent is a work. I’ve seen Annie when she spoke before the Council awhile ago in a similar mode of communication: LOUD and IN YOUR FACE ! So now we know that we can get the attention of at least one councilmember by yelling, screaming and bringing “friends” with signs to stand behind and next to us. Annie seems out of control and may need assistance. Assuming that Captain Moulder’s statement is true, then Annie’s arrest was justified. (The neck brace was a nice touch. Theatrics, any one?)
Saying that getting mis-gendered is “an act of violence” diminishes the gravity of violence.
Hey Sepi, you know what’s as bad as mis-identifying someone’s gender: treating a public activist disabled senior citizen, with no career/power/title in the equation, like a piece of dirt. That’s you, Sepi. Maybe the Sheriff’s made an honest error, as their top priority was making the arrest, and I suppose they would interview the suspect later on to see how they preferred to be addressed. I don’t know. But I do know Sepi is probably the most vile two faced hypocrite we have had representing us. Thank you, to the freeloaders and Communists who don’t respect private property rights, who… Read more »
You mention being Cmmunist a lot. So, I must assume you absolutely loathe communism. If so, I would hope that you inspect every item you own and discard anything which was made in China. ANY THING. Good luck !
Actually, Communism failed, except it’s still alive in North Korea, I don’t think anywhere else. You are mistaken if you think China is a Communist country, despite what they claim for P.R. reasons. It is by far the most Capitalistic nation anywhere. I’m glad I’m was able to educate you. So no need to discard anything made in China for me. Let me educate you further: Communism is bad, Socialism isn’t bad. We are all Socialists in some form. We all use public roads, public schools, doctors educated with public money, public airports, Social Security and on and on. Socialism… Read more »