Garcetti Sworn In for 2nd Term as D.A.

After a bruising campaign that has left his office sharply divided, Gil Garcetti was sworn in Friday for his second term as Los Angeles County district attorney.

Garcetti, who narrowly defeated Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lynch, said in a speech delivered in the Board of Supervisors chambers that his top courtroom priority remains the vigorous prosecution of street crime.

He said he also intends to pay special attention to cases involving gangs, domestic violence and the collection of child support. And he said he will press for a pay raise for the 1,000 deputies who staff the nation’s largest prosecution agency.

Lynch, who heads the Norwalk branch office, was not in attendance. Nor were but a few of Lynch’s supporters.

Noting that the campaign had “not been easy” and that he understood “personal loyalties,” Garcetti nonetheless issued a plea for rapprochement.

“I ask you all to put any of these differences behind you . . . to move ahead together with a goal of seeking justice and protecting the community,” he said. “That’s what we’re here for.”