Los Angeles stands at a critical crossroads in its history, as local residents, business owners, workers, and voters grapple with an increasingly divided City Council. This division hampers effective governance and threatens the quality of life, job security, and public safety for all who live, work, visit, and pay taxes in the city.
Over the years, Angelenos have endured a multitude of challenges, from devastating earthquakes and raging fires to extensive flooding, riots, and rampant crime. The threat from burglaries, car thefts, and an escalating homeless population continues to loom large, exacerbated by deteriorating infrastructure and notorious daily freeway gridlock across major Los Angeles highways.
With pressures mounting, residents and business owners now face a pressing question: Can Los Angeles survive the increasing hostility stemming from ongoing anti-LAPD rallies and a slew of proposed local ballot measures aimed at raising taxes? Many feel these proposals come from City Council members who seem detached from the realities that average citizens face, leading them to ask, “Where have all the ‘Angels’ of Los Angeles gone?”
In response to governance that seems increasingly out of touch, many individuals have left Los Angeles for better-managed cities across the United States—towns where American values persist, where a dollar stretches further, and where residents can enjoy a more fulfilling quality of life.
One area heavily affected by this disillusionment is California’s film industry, particularly Hollywood. In recent years, the state and city have attempted to offer benefits to salvage a film and television sector that has begun to flee to regions with more favorable business climates. Despite those efforts, numerous production companies have already departed, and the exodus shows no signs of abating.
Former industry colleagues report struggling to find work in Los Angeles’ once-thriving entertainment sector. A friend of mine, a seasoned professional, has worked just 20 days this year, while another in commercials managed only one job since January. One individual has had to rely on food stamps due to financial strains resulting from a lack of local work opportunities.
The recent incentives rolled out by California officials to support film production are perceived as too little, too late. For many local workers already facing unemployment, these measures will not reverse the damaging trend of production work moving out of the state. Furthermore, businesses that serve the entertainment industry—cleaners, crafts personnel, and caterers—continue to suffer as fewer productions take place in the region.
At a state level, both the Governor and elected representatives from California, alongside members of the Los Angeles City Council, appear to share a common tendency—an inclination to spend money that either doesn’t exist or is already on a downward fiscal trajectory. Recently, the State of California passed a staggering $321 billion budget, which includes a concerning $12 billion deficit. Meanwhile, the City of Los Angeles has approved a $13.9 billion budget with almost a billion dollar deficit.
These fiscal missteps epitomize a troubling trend in governance—one driven by a cadre of highly compensated officials disconnected from the economic reality facing their constituents.
With respect to public safety, the numbers for the LAPD raise eyebrows. As of June 21, the police force comprised 8,739 sworn officers. Given a population of nearly 3.9 million in Los Angeles, doubts remain about whether this level of staffing is sufficient to provide adequate protection and security.
This topic was thrust into the spotlight when protests turned violent, forcing the LAPD to implement a costly mobilization effort that saw officers working extended shifts. The total expense burdened taxpayers with an estimated $20 million, coupled with nearly $593,000 in damage to city property and upwards of $600,000 for street cleanup and graffiti removal. As these costs add to the city’s already ballooning deficit, they raise further questions about the priorities of elected officials.
The outlook appears bleak for residents concerned about public safety, especially with a growing number of City Council members seemingly working against LAPD initiatives. Consequently, many feel uncertain about the city’s future under the current regime.
In forthcoming editions of RantZ and RaveZ, I will identify specific council members whose actions undermine public safety and support for the LAPD. Stay tuned for these critical updates, as the community needs to be informed and engaged in the dialogue surrounding our beloved city’s future.
RantZ and RaveZ is prepared by Dennis P. Zine for CityWatchLA.com. Dennis is a retired law enforcement supervisor, current reserve officer, and a former member of the Los Angeles City Council. He can be heard on KABC Radio, as well as on Channels 5, 11, and Spectrum TV covering police-related topics.
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