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THE EIGHTH: Quarterly Review Summer 2017

Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson • Eighth District WHAT’S INSIDE

Contents: 1, 2. Dear Neighbors Dear Neighbors, 3. Neighborhoods Thank you for reading the newest edition This spring, I announced a new, innovative program to combat Council District 8 has one of the highest unemployment rates of the Eighth of “The Eighth: Quarterly Review.“ July will violent crime in South called the Community in the City of Los Angeles, particularly for . mark two years since I was sworn in as your Safety Partnership or CSP. CSP is a proven approach to I am leading the charge to bring jobs to the district and ensuring 4. North Area Profile councilmember and I am grateful for all of your crime reduction that prioritizes building respect and trust between that residents know about every job opportunity available. support. Although there is more work to be residents and the police. Following the introduction of CSP at I have a dual focus: increasing access to well-paying public sector 5. Celebrating the Best of the Eighth done, I am unbelievably proud of all we have several public housing projects, those communities saw crime and jobs across the City and investing in job creators in the District. accomplished together. For far too long, the arrests reduced by 50%. After a spike in homicides in 2015, I Multiple departments in the City of Los Angeles are currently 6. Destination Eighth District has not received its fair share of resources and respect. You can trust that advocated for this proven project to expand into South LA, and hiring. This includes LADWP, LAX, the Port of Los Angeles, Crenshaw every day I fight for you and together we can build the kind of neighborhood you deserve. now, the program will roll out this summer in the Harvard Park and the City itself. You can get access to these jobs online at neighborhood. Stay tuned for more. www.lacity.org/find-jobs, and my District Office regularly Throughout the last quarter, we’ve seen great policy victories and additional resources posts job openings at the Constituent Services Center. Stay tuned Freedom invested into the Eighth. As chair of the Homelessness and Poverty Committee, I led the New data released this year echoed what residents already knew: Festival for more projects and resources available through my office. effort to place Proposition HHH on the ballot in November, passing with over 77% of has historically received fewer City services. the vote. Proposition HHH will build permanent supportive housing across the City of Los Promoting Clean and Safe Streets in South Los Angeles is a top Please enjoy the newest version of the newsletter with highlights 7. Clean and Safe Streets Angeles, creating a future where all Angelenos have a roof over their heads. Permanent priority of my office, and we have seen major successes over the of some of the events from this winter and spring. I can’t wait supportive housing is a proven solution to the homelessness crisis we are facing in Los past year. In collaboration with each one of you, Council District to see you this summer at a Movie in the Park, a summer concert, 8. Neighborhood Angeles. In March, Measure H, the sister policy to Proposition HHH, passed with nearly 8 has more clean streets, alleys, and medians than we’ve seen in or at an Office Hours. 70% of the vote, providing the a long time. I am happy to announce that Council District 8 is now Town Hall Series With hope, services necessary to make number one in the City for 311 requests. We still have more work Office Hours permanent supportive housing to do, but we couldn’t have accomplished this much without you.

and Coffee successful. Together, we will end Keep up the great work, and we will do the same. homelessness in Los Angeles 9. Legislative as we know it. Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson Update

10. Victories for the Homeless

Back Cover Summer in the Great Eighth

1 2 The Neighborhoods of the Great Eighth North Area Profile West Adams, Adams Normandie, Exposition Park, University Park, University Expo Park West, and King Estates Each edition of the Quarterly Review will highlight a different area in Council District 8, including a few unique restaurants, activities, and non-profit organizations. It is a great way to learn more information about the communities around you and what they have to offer.

Restaurants Art and Culture Named one of the “10 Best Tacos in LA,” Revolutionario Weekends are a perfect time to visit Velaslavasay, a serves exquisite North African tacos in the Adams- unique arts venue at the old Union Theater on 24th Street. Normandie neighborhood. For authentic Mexican tacos and Check them out for screenings of classic films and other more, residents rave about La Valentina Mexican Grill curated art events and enjoy their secret garden. Take the on Vermont Avenue. Los Angeles is home to many authentic old spiral staircase up to view the elaborate panorama Caribbean restaurants and among the best in the city are painting, it’s like a time warp in the Eighth District! Joan & Sisters’ and Tracey’s on Western Avenue in the King Estates neighborhood. Want something truly different? New Stop Sign Himalayan House on Jefferson Blvd. serves amazing On April 20, Councilmember Harris-Dawson installed Indian and Nepalese food. a new stop sign on Hobart Ave and 38th Place. It was not just any stop sign, but one 17 years in the making! Community Groups Community activist Mr. Isaac White fought for 17 There are several nonprofits that keep the North Area years to stop accident strong, starting with the North Area Neighborhood after accident on this Development Council or NANDAC. Along with corner. Mr. White is the hosting monthly town halls, NANDAC hosts events like heart and soul of his the Spring into Action health fair. NANDAC also works neighborhood, and the hand in hand with Councilmember Harris-Dawson, co- councilmember ensured hosting five community clean ups this quarter and winning that he honored his hard the Clean Streets LA Challenge Grant for their work. work and dedication to Another great organization is 2nd Call, who creates the North Area. strategies to reduce violence and help people who are determined to improve their personal development. Ward Economic Development Corporation is involved in the development of housing, business, creating job opportunities, and improving economic development within the community. 3 4 Celebrating the Best of the Eighth Destination Freedom Festival Crenshaw Issa Rae Youth Civic Engagement Imagine yourself walking down , passing by flourishing local businesses, stopping This February, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson In November, Councilmember Harris-Dawson and to admire community-developed public art, all to a created the first Councilmember Huizar celebrated National Youth Civic soundtrack of local music that represents the culture annual Black Engagement Month by honoring three organizations that and the people of South LA. This is the vision of Women’s Day Marqueece to recognize Harris-Dawson. outstanding Destination Black women Crenshaw will who make an be an open-air, impact on Los outdoor art Angeles. This gallery year’s honoree

was South LA’s own hometown hero, Issa Rae. Rae is On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Eighth and the Tenth currently the star of HBO’s hit series Insecure, which Council Districts partnered to host the annual Freedom prominently features our neighborhoods in the series! As a Festival in Leimert Park with the theme of Love Trumps that honors director, writer, actress, producer, author, and web series Hate. The event featured local businesses, organizations, the heart creator, Issa is an industry innovator. She creates relatable support young people’s leadership: Community Coalition, and the people of South LA, who together celebrated the and soul characters of color who are complex, honest, and true to Inner City Struggle, and National Foster Youth Institute. legacy of Dr. King. Throughout the parade and festival, of South her experiences with the people of South LA. These organizations create a platform for our youth to Councilmember Harris-Dawson focused on the importance LA by shine, learn valuable skills, and engage their community. of unity and activism in the Trump era. reflecting Kandice Hill the culture, Every year, the City Council honors a “Pioneer Woman Terrace Martin music, art, and identity of one of the most iconic of the Year” In honor of Black History Month, Council President neighborhoods: Crenshaw. from across the Wesson and Councilmember Harris-Dawson honored Destination Crenshaw will begin by utilizing the City. This year’s Grammy-nominated artist Terrace Martin. Martin is an construction of the Crenshaw/LAX Line as an honoree from the innovative opportunity to repair the infrastructure on Crenshaw Eighth District musician who Boulevard, creating a streetscape that is walkable is Kandice fuses multiple and inviting, perfect for small businesses. Next, by Hill. Kandice genres harnessing the local knowledge, creativity, and history is a South LA together to of South LA, the councilman will organize local leaders native and is create a to develop an in-depth plan to create and cultivate the the first African- sound all his type of art that defines Crenshaw. American woman to operate a hydro-treating plant at own. Plus, he Phillips 66. On January 4, Kandice Hill posted photos went to Locke The museum is slated to open in late 2019 or early of the unsanitary conditions at Ralph’s on Manchester High. Terrace 2020 along with the Crenshaw/LAX Line. Starting and Western, which was shared over 2,000 times and is a prime example of the kind of talent that shines when it in the summer of 2017, there will be multiple Thousands of people also enjoyed five stages of brought renewed attention to that store. Since then, is nurtured by amazing teachers at our local schools. opportunities for residents to engage with this project entertainment, food, arts, and an Activation Tent, to get Ralph’s honored its commitment to a complete renovation, and shape its future. Keep your eye out for the involved with community action. upgrading the interior and exterior of the building. Hill’s Destination Crenshaw community meeting in June or actions have benefited thousands of families in South LA. give your feedback through social media using the hashtag #destinationCrenshaw. 5 6 Clean and Safe Streets Neighborhood Safe Streets Despite decades of poor relationships Clean Streets Town Hall Series between the police and residents, Safety is a major concern in South The District Office of Council Councilmember Harris-Dawson This winter, Councilmember Harris-Dawson hosted seven Los Angeles, and every individual District 8 coordinated two is leading the charge to create a Neighborhood Town Halls in collaboration with each deserves to feel safe, regardless key community cleans-up with new way for LAPD and residents to Neighborhood Council in the District and one Homeowners of where they live. One way to Neighborhood Councils and build community. The Association. These meetings gave the councilmember an excellent other partners. The first clean- LAPD also formed opportunity to engage with residents, on a local level, and drill up, along Lanzit Avenue and the partnerships with down on neighborhood concerns. adjacent railroad tracks, was various community co-hosted by the South East Although each town hall highlighted different neighborhood members, groups, Neighborhood Council and issues, some common themes emerged as priorities to both and activists, to included over 100 community constituents and the councilmember. One of the most frequent work collectively to volunteers and nearby schools, conversations was about ensuring that the 8th District has “Clean prevent and solve and the Sunburst Academy and Safe” streets. One way the Council Office and residents problems and create joined efforts to collect nearly In order to keep South Los Angeles have successfully partnered together is the use of 311 and the accountability. 10 tons of trash. During the clean, residents need to do their part by MYLA311 app. 311 is a simple system that allows residents In order to be second community clean-up, staff staying connected to the Council Office to report bulky items dumped on the streets or loose litter successful, the new from Council District 8 partnered and submitting request for services so it can be picked up in a timely manner. curb violence is to build strong, CSP program needs to be based on with the Park Mesa Heights to MYLA311. If you see anything accountable relationships between the needs and voices of residents Neighborhood Council to unfitting in your neighborhood, from police officers and members in Harvard Park. Throughout the respond to several calls for help from illegally duped trash or a dead animal of the community. In March, spring, there was a massive outreach local constituents to clean along to a faulty street light, – please report Office Hours and Coffee Councilmember Harris-Dawson effort to survey residents to create the railroad tracks on Hyde Park it! Reports from residents catapulted announced the expansion of the the programming specific to the Boulevard. Council In order to create more opportunities to engage with residents of Community Safety Partnership needs of Harvard Park. Deputy Nearly 50 District 8 to Council District 8, Councilmember Harris-Dawson created two (CSP), a program that increases the Chief Phil Tingirides and community number one in monthly series: Office Hours and Coffee with Your Councimember. number of officers in an area while Lieutenant Emada Tingirides volunteers 311 reports, During Office Hours, residents can meet one on one with the focusing their work on community have supported CSP since its from AADAP ensuring that councilmember to discuss their concerns and ideas. Coffee with engagement, safe passages to inception and are now leading the and other South LA Your Councilmember is an intimate conversation, over a cup of school, critical enforcement, and charge for LAPD. The councilmember local groups receives the coffee or tea, with residents hosted youth programming. The Harvard would like to thank renowned civil gave up their resources it in different parts of the District. Plus, Park neighborhood has been at rights attorney Connie Rice and the Saturday deserves. the event supports local businesses the center of an increase in violent Urban Peace Institute for creating to clean across the District. crime and homicides over the past CSP and leading its expansion to Hyde Park two years, so Jackie Tatum communities in need. This expansion Boulevard Harvard Park will be ground zero would not be possible without the and the adjacent train tracks. for the expansion of this program support of Mayor Eric Garcetti, Both neighborhoods are chronic to deliver services and support to Councilmember Curren Price, locations for illegal dumping. The residents in the community. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, donors councilmember’s staff are working from the Weingart and Ballmer The goal of the program is to reduce closely with the City Attorney’s Foundations, and every member and prevent violence, improve office to aggressively prosecute of the community who has given community and law enforcement individuals who continue to their support in order to transform relationships, and improve youth illegally dump their trash in this South Los Angeles into a safer educational outcomes. community. 7 neighborhood. 8 Legislative Update Victories for the Homeless Modernizing Affordable Housing Los Angeles has accomplished the unbelievable! In an effort to bolster the City’s affordable housing stock, In back-to-back elections, Angelenos voted to tax Councilmember Harris-Dawson recommended that the City use themselves to create the nation’s largest investment technology to identify affordable housing properties in the to end homelessness as we know it. Starting with the City of Los Angeles that are at risk of losing their rental subsidies visionary Proposition HHH, over 77% of voters or affordability restrictions. The Housing and Community Investment declared that they would no longer live in a City where Department will now take advantage of modern data mining it was acceptable for people to live on the streets. technology to identify any apartments that will lose their protections Proposition HHH was an investment in a permanent for low-income residents through the expiration of covenants, restrictions, solution, creating housing for the most vulnerable men, and/or rental subsidies. This legislation will also clarify state protections women, and children in the City. On the heels of that for residents who are in affordable housing and ensure they receive momentous victory, over 70% of Los Angeles County the required notification should they be required to relocate. residents passed Measure H to create the services for homeless individuals and families. The widespread Job Training for the Homeless support for Proposition HHH and Measure H signals a Mr. Harris-Dawson kicked off a new program in the Eighth District, the historic change in Los Angeles, building a future where Los Angeles Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (LA RISE) all have some place to call home. 2.0 Pilot Program, which creates job training, acquisition, and retention Proposition HHH and Measure H work in conjunction programs, in addition to providing housing services for individuals to implement a proven solution to homelessness: who make up the hardest-to-serve populations: those with a history Permanent Supportive Housing. of homelessness, incarceration, and experience with foster care. This program was designed to pair employment with Permanent Supportive Housing combines subsidized housing and supportive wrap-around services for residents to ensure housing and social services together, ensuring that gainful long-term success. individuals and families are addressing the root causes of their homelessness, including poverty, substance Parker Center abuse, mental health issues, and domestic violence. as mental health counseling, drug and alcohol rehab, or In 1969, the LAPD’s Police Facilities Building was Proposition HHH produces clean, safe, and affordable housing location assistance. renamed the Parker Center after former Chief housing for those currently homeless or those at risk, New Parking With the elections now over, Councilmember Harris- William H. Parker, the police chief from 1950 until Restrictions while also building facilities that increase access to Dawson is working judiciously to deliver on the promise his death in 1966. Unrelenting allegations of racial mental health care, drug and alcohol treatment, and Residents have often of Proposition HHH. This spring, only four months discrimination by police and abuse against the black more. Proposition HHH also allows the City to buy, complained about after Proposition HHH passed, the Citizen’s Oversight community are a fundamental part of Parker’s legacy, build, or remodel the facilities providing these services, the large number Committee approved over $76 million for Permanent including the 1965 Watts Riots. For this reason, meaning that they will either be improved or replaced of vehicles that sit Supportive Housing and $43 million for facilities. These Councilmember Harris-Dawson led the charge to with new, state-of-the-art on the corridors proposed projects endured deny Parker Center a Historical Designation. Chief facilities. Measure H will of District 8 with a high level of scrutiny and Parker’s name should not be used in a cultural or immediately increase “For Sale” signs that are only the first round of historical dedication unless Angelenos are discussing outreach and assessment limit access to the businesses of the District. investment. These projects the unconstitutional and unjustified policing tactics utilized and promoted of homeless individuals New restrictions introduced by Councilmember will deliver the services under his leadership. The demolished building will soon make way for a on the streets today. The Harris-Dawson will limit parking of vehicles that homeless individuals new Civic Center that will welcome all Angelenos. Measure pays for the with “For sale” signs on the corridors of and families need to build supportive services that Normandie and Western to address healthier, stable lives. make permanent supportive this concern. housing successful, such

9 10 City Hall Office Constituent Service Center 200 N. Spring St., Room 450, Los Angeles, CA 90012 8475 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044 Phone: (213) 473-7008 Phone: (213) 485-7616 Fax: (213) 978-1442 Fax: (213) 485-8156 /MHDCD8