Culver City Residents Dispute AG Bondi's Crime Claims

Local officials and personalities push back against assertions that Culver City is a crime haven.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi claimed during a heated House hearing that Culver City, a vibrant Los Angeles suburb, is a crime haven. However, local officials and personalities quickly responded with statistics, memes, and wry mockery, defending the city as a safe, thriving community with low crime rates and a strong sense of community.

Why it matters

Bondi's comments about Culver City raise questions about the accuracy of her statements and the potential political motivations behind them, especially given the broader context of the hearing's focus on the Department of Justice's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The local response highlights the importance of fact-checking and holding public officials accountable for their claims.

The details

During the House hearing, Bondi slipped in a jab about Culver City, which is part of Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove's district, saying "There are — in your district. Her district includes Culver City, and she's not talking about any crime in her district. Nothing about helping crime in her district. She's not even worth getting into the details." In response, local officials and personalities posted photos of clean streets, manicured parks, and community events, disputing Bondi's characterization of the city. Crime statistics show that Culver City has seen a decline in both overall crime and violent crime in recent years.

  • Crime in Culver City declined 9.7% in 2024 and was down an additional 6.1% in the third quarter of 2025 compared with the same period of 2024, according to the Culver City Police Department.
  • Violent crime declined 3.9% in Culver City in 2024 — the last full year of available data.

The players

Pam Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General who made the claims about crime in Culver City during the House hearing.

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

The U.S. Representative whose district includes Culver City and who challenged Bondi's comments during the hearing.

Freddy Puza

The Mayor of Culver City, who described the city as a "strong and vibrant community" and characterized Bondi's comments as a "knee-jerk reaction."

Brian Taylor Cohen

A political commentator and Angeleno who called Culver City "one of the most non-controversially safe" places in Los Angeles.

Heather Gardner

A Culver City-based comedian who criticized Bondi's comments and called for the release of unredacted files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

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What they’re saying

“The worst crime of the century is that this woman had made a mockery of our justice system. Release the un-redacted files. Prosecute the REAL crimes.”

— Heather Gardner, Culver City-based comedian (Instagram)

“Culver City was known for 'breakfast burritos — not crime.'”

— Sydney Kamlager-Dove, U.S. Representative (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for Bondi to clarify her statements about Culver City. The local response and crime statistics may prompt further scrutiny of Bondi's claims and the broader issues surrounding the Department of Justice's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of fact-checking and holding public officials accountable for their statements, especially when they appear to be politically motivated or at odds with the reality on the ground. The local response from Culver City residents and leaders demonstrates the power of community-driven narratives to counter misleading claims about their neighborhoods.