LOS ANGELES COUNTY – Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced that she has appointed Stephen Larson and Mark Holscher to the Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Safety.

Mr. Larson attended Georgetown University for undergraduate studies, and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Southern California. For the past 28 years, he has served as a federal prosecutor, a federal district judge, and a criminal defense attorney representing governmental entities, private companies, and individuals. He has taught criminal and constitutional law at both the undergraduate and graduate level and worked with the U.S. State Department. In addition to his criminal justice experience, he has served as a director for National CORE and a member of the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities. He has extensive experience regarding issues involving homelessness, health care, and social services.

Mr. Holscher is a graduate of the University of California Berkeley where he earned both his Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate. He is currently an attorney at Kirkland & Ellis, LLP. Previously, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney with the Department of Justice and was a partner at O’Melveny & Myers. He has also been involved in a number of charitable organizations supporting justice causes across Southern California.

“I am honored that both of my appointees are active community leaders who will offer their extensive legal experience in shaping the important work of the Blue Ribbon Commission,” Barger said. “Their perspective will help the Commission create a roadmap for the County to improve public safety while supporting those who require rehabilitative and other services which impacts the well-being of our local communities.”

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Safety was established as a result of a motion by Supervisors Barger and Hahn approved by the Board of Supervisors following the tragic murder of Officer Keith Boyer of the Whittier Police Department. The Commission is tasked with thoughtfully considering recent criminal justice reform efforts, and the circumstances that are impacting public safety. The Commission convenes its first meeting on October 30.