Jason Oppenheim isn't just “Selling Sunset” – he opens his wallet to the Los Angeles Fire Department and Police Department… and writes a hefty check amid the devastating wildfires ravaging the city.
Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ … the head of the Oppenheim Group donated $100,000 to be split between the LAFD and LAPD following the LA wildfire damage
Jason tells TMZ … he's motivated to bring attention to the fundraising needs of these essential first responders. He tells us that the city of LA needs to realign its budget plans… and points out that there is nothing more important than prioritizing community safety, especially when the money is going to unsuccessful passion projects.
He calls the California high-speed rail system…a proposed high-speed train that would connect Los Angeles to San Francisco. The proposal was first passed in 2008… but the project is still technically underway – and is expected to go well over budget.
For example, state officials said in March 2024 that just building a line between Bakersfield and Merced would cost about $35 billion.
From Jason's perspective, this money could instead fully fund the LAFD and LAPD, easily doubling their respective budgets for decades. More money means more drones and helicopters, which were crucial in firefighting and rescue during the 2025 disaster.
Jason highlights that the city had to borrow helicopters from other states, Canada and Mexico during this harrowing ordeal…and adds that the city would be in a much better situation in the future if it had the resources to invest in proactive measures.
To say that things are tense here in the City of Angels is an understatement.