Over the past few months, many of Los Angeles’ Westside neighborhoods have been gradually crying out for help. These suburban areas have encountered extreme hardships lately regarding crime and feel the city’s services fail to meet their needs entirely. Finally, it looks as though their voices have been heard, and for the first time in a long time, there’s hope for real change to come to these areas.
The councilwoman representing LA’s Westside neighborhoods introduced a new public safety package on Monday that will strive to protect public safety and prevent crime.
Far Too Common Crimes
Break-ins, thefts, and other crimes have affected private residences and small businesses, including Ronnie’s Diner on Culver Boulevard in Del Rey, part of L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park’s District 11. For example, Ron Garcia and his wife (who have owned and operated their diner for over two decades) say they have seen issues escalate first-hand. After twenty-plus years of never having any crime-related issues, their diner has been broken into twice in the past year.
“They didn’t steal much [because] there’s not much to take since everything is credit card based and there’s no cash,” Garcia said. “But the real damage is the cost to repair…our insurance company has limits on what they’ll cover, so there’s a lot of out-of-pocket [expenses] for each time they break in.”
Garcia said that, as restaurant owners, he and his wife “feel alone” and feel as if they are “policing” themselves.
“We’ve [had to] chase people away, and there used to be a lot of encampments right across the street,” he said. “And we’re the first bathroom, the first spot to drink water…we have to protect our place when people come in and steal off the tables.”
“There’s no help,” Garcia added. “If you call the police department, there’s only so much they can do.” He believes the new public safety package being introduced by Park is “absolutely necessary.”
Bringing Hope to the Hopeless
The initiative includes plans to set aside funding for Automated License Plate Readers, LAPD overtime, and new squad cars and provide additional resources for urban forestry services like tree trimming.
“With LAPD facing unprecedented staffing challenges, Councilmember Traci Park is responding with innovative solutions to address public safety and crime prevention,” Park’s office said in a media statement. “This strategic initiative will position Council District 11 as a leader in crime-preventative innovation by leveraging technology and essential services, making it one of the safest council districts in Los Angeles.”
Park held a press conference on Monday morning to introduce the new package alongside Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, newly sworn-in L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, and community leaders in Council District 11. After the conference ended, Hochman told KTLA that he and officials wanted to send the message to the community that everyone must stand together.
He elaborated by saying that investigators believe criminals “respond” to two things in particular: the certainty of being caught and the certainty of meaningful consequences if they do get caught.
Community First
“We had not just the community — parents, store owners, and neighbors — here [at the press conference], but also law enforcement, Councilmember Park and the DA’s Office,” Hochman said. “We wanted to send a clear message to criminals: We are going to take the streets back.”
Hochman added that Monday’s press conference serves as “an inspiration” to introduce the public safety package to all 15 city council districts. He also reiterated that he would like to see the initiative implemented across all 88 cities and 125 unincorporated areas in Los Angeles County.
