News
What factors led to the high mortality rates in Los Angeles County jails in 2023?
In 2023, Los Angeles County jails experienced one of the deadliest years in recent history, with 45 inmates losing their lives while in custody. This marked a significant increase in the annual death rate, which more than doubled over the past decade despite a decrease in the jail population. The causes of these deaths varied, with factors such as fentanyl, COVID-19, overcrowding, and poor inmate health being cited by different sources.
Sheriff Robert Luna, who oversees the jails, attributed some of the deaths to the health status of the inmates prior to their arrest, claiming that they receive top-notch healthcare while incarcerated. However, a thorough investigation by the Los Angeles Times revealed a common thread among the fatalities: neglect by both guards and medical staff. Reports showed instances where inmates died due to lack of timely intervention, delayed medical care, and poor supervision.
The issue of neglect was further highlighted by cases of inmates committing suicide, overdosing on drugs, and being involved in deadly altercations with fellow inmates. Oversight reports raised concerns about inadequate safety checks, slow responses to medical emergencies, and failures in monitoring inmates through surveillance cameras. The inadequate healthcare provided in the jails led to tragic outcomes, including preventable deaths due to untreated medical conditions and a lack of timely emergency care.
Family members of the deceased inmates expressed frustration and disbelief at the conditions their loved ones endured while incarcerated. Legal action was taken in some cases, highlighting the systemic failures and lack of accountability within the jail system. The lack of proper medical treatment, disregard for inmates’ health needs, and the failure to address warning signs of deteriorating health were common themes in these tragic stories.
The rising death toll in Los Angeles County jails has raised concerns among advocates and experts, who have called for urgent reforms to prevent further loss of life. Despite efforts by authorities to address the issues, the pain and suffering experienced by the families of the deceased inmates continue to linger. The heart-wrenching realities of these cases serve as a stark reminder of the challenges and failures within the county’s jail system.
As authorities work to improve conditions and prevent future tragedies, it is essential to prioritize inmate welfare, access to healthcare, and proper oversight to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals in custody. The lessons learned from the deadly year of 2023 must serve as a catalyst for positive change and a commitment to upholding justice and human rights within the Los Angeles County jails.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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