LA city council member calls to defund police while cops guards her house

As reported by Spectrum 1 News journalist Natalie Brunell, special LAPD unit, usually made up of 2 officers, had been guarding Martinez's home for the last two months.

"The private security detail infuriated some members of the force when Martinez became one of the council members to spearhead a motion to cut $150 million in funding to the LAPD’s budget," the outlet reported.

"Multiple LAPD sources confirmed the units were directed to provide 24/7 security beginning April 4 at Martinez’s home, almost always staffed by two officers. As of May 6, we’re told the detail decreased to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with roving patrol checks overnight."

Detective Jamie McBride, who currently serves as director of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, told Brunell: "It’s kind of ironic. Here she is demanding $150 million be reallocated from the police budget, but yet she has security at her house by the Los Angeles Police Department."

McBridge pointed out that Martinez having her own special unit meant that there was one less unit on the streets able to respond to emergency calls, according to the Daily Wire.

"It’s disgusting," McBride said. "For two officers in front of a residence since April, you’re probably over $100,000 of the people’s money."

What's more is that Martinez's special unit was reportedly cancelled the night Brunell attempted to reach out to her for comment.

A spokesperson for Martinez insisted that the reason the unit was stationed at Martinez's house is that she had received threats, though McBride fired back by saying that if there was really a threat there would still be a unit outside her home.

The suggestion of defunding the police remains an unpopular one, though it has gained traction in a number of places throughout the country.

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar has expressed her wishes to "dismantle the police" in Minneapolis. The same goes for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio who recently announced his intentions to defund the police.