Posted on 01/12/2026
Two big votes this week. Two big impacts ā one for District 13, one for all of Los Angeles. $1 Million for Dedicated CD13 Streetlight Repair Team What Happened? City Council unanimously approved our motion allocating $1 million to create a dedicated Streetlight Repair Team for District 13. This team will work exclusively in our district to fix broken streetlights and clear the backlog thatās left entire neighborhoods in the dark. Why it Matters Right now, it can take over nine months to repair a broken streetlight in Los Angeles. Thatās not acceptable. Streetlights are a basic public safety need ā they affect how safe people feel walking at night, getting home from work, or letting their kids play outside. A dedicated team means faster repairs, greater leeway to coordinate local repairs, and direct communication with in-district crews. What's Next? The City will now hire union electricians and laborers for the new team, and repairs are expected to begin within the next 1-2 months. Over the long term, potential funding solutions may be coming as well. The fee that pays for most streetlight maintenance hasnāt kept up with inflation since 1996, leaving a $45 million annual budget gap. But the Bureau of Street Lighting will soon move forward with a property-owner vote to update that fee ā increasing it from about $55 to $95 per year ā meaning the City could cut repair times from months to weeks. |
Improving LAPD Protest Response What Happened? This week, City Council advanced our motion to improve how Los Angeles responds to protests ā with a focus on communication, planning, and de-escalation. The motion does two key things: 1ļøā£ It calls for a formal policy for LAPD to communicate with protest organizers ahead of time, so safety plans are clear and law enforcement can minimize their presence whenever possible to focus on other issues. 2ļøā£ It moves Los Angeles toward a graded response model, used in many cities like New York and Boston, where heavily armed officers are staged nearby (not on the frontlines) and deployed only if a protest escalates into violence. Why it Matters? When David Huerta was arrested back in June, thousands of people gathered at a massive labor-led protest in Grand Park. Labor unions had trained protest marshals, volunteer medics, and clear communication structures in place. Police were present, but largely out of sight. That kind of planning from the city matters. Fewer flashpoints mean fewer injuries, but right now we often place heavily armed officers directly on the frontlines from the very beginning. What's Next? Our office will be meeting with Police Commissioners and the department to formalize and implement a āgraded responseā policy. Stay tuned for more updates when the changes are made. |
Two More Quick Hits! 1. The City's Mobility Action Plan The Department of Transportation is gathering responses to a Mobility Action Plan survey, which will help shape how transportation projects are prioritized in LA for the next five years and beyond! Share your experiences, needs, and priorities before January 30, so we can plan for a safer, more accessible, and connected transportation system for Los Angeles! |
2. GPIA "State of the Districts" We joined Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez at the Glassell Park Improvement Associationās āState of the Districtsā meeting to swear in the new Board and strengthen the community leadership with local groups like GPIA that truly shape the change that happens in our communities. |