L.A. Mayor Karen Bass speaks with members of local Asian American media during a discussion at City Hall on May 21.
By MIKEY HIRANO CULROSS
RAFU STAFF WRITER
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass hosted a roundtable discussion with a small group of representatives from local Asian American media on May 21, to listen to and share ideas about a range of issues including public safety, major events, homelessness, and immigrant communities.
Much of the discourse centered on the mayor’s shared desired with communities across the city to increase law enforcement presence, particularly as the World Cup and Olympics are set to kick off in L.A.
Citing a 60-year low homicide rate and increased arrests by a retail theft task force, Bass said her goal of 9,500 sworn Los Angeles police officers — up from the current 8,600 or so — will be difficult for a familiar reason.
“The city is not expecting a windfall right now, and that doesn’t help,” the mayor said, expressing frustration at being hamstrung by the lack of available public funding.
She added that during the World Cup starting next week, and for the Olympics two years from now, LAPD will be joined by partnering law enforcement agencies, not including immigration agents.
“Let me tell you, these events will be safe,” Bass insisted. “Not just LAPD — there will be a federal presence – not ICE – maybe National Guard.”
Bass stressed the need for lawful and peaceful protest during these events, saying that President Trump does not want the embarrassment of the world seeing chaos on the streets in America.
Reiterating her executive order to keep immigration officials from using city property and facilities, she said many residents remain fearful of the tactics and raids by the Trump Administration beginning last summer across Southern California.
“People right now are very fearful from the trauma of last year. I want people in Los Angeles to trust the LAPD.”
In the realm of public safety, Bass called Little Tokyo the standard for what major tourist spots around the city should be, while noting the need for solutions to homelessness and security.
“On weekends, Little Tokyo is bustling with hundreds of people, and hundreds of people in one place is one way to public safety,” she said, emphasizing the need for investments in these neighborhoods. “I want to see El Pueblo [Olvera Street], Chinatown, Filipinotown and Koreatown revitalized. The deterioration of Chinatown breaks my heart; so many of the [long-cherished] restaurants and shops are gone.
“These should be major tourist stops. You haven’t seen L.A. if you haven’t been to these places,” she added.