Palisadian-Post PaliThursday, MayL 15, 2014 ife Page 11 Palisadian Steve Soboroff Police Commission President celebrate the rest of the city like they should and Shafer: Mayor Eric Garcetti appointed you to they say it’s because traffic is worse. That’s an ex- the Board of Police Commissioners in August of 2013 cuse. They say they just can’t get in their car to go to when fellow Police Commissioners elected you Presi- a restaurant in south LA or go see the Lotus Festival dent of the Los Angeles Police Commission. Why were or Exposition Park to watch the Endeavor coming in you interested in serving the city as a commissioner? because there’s too much traffic. They’re depriving Soboroff: I felt like I could help a great depart- themselves and their kids from dozens of experienc- ment get better and make good things happen faster – es in their early years. This is one of the most diverse and when problems come up to deal with them openly cities in the world and that’s a shame because the and transparently. alternative to that – staying on the Westside – it’s I have plusses and minuses, like everybody. one dimensional, it’s boring; we’re too privileged. When I see things that I can do, I want to do them. We’re getting there, but I’d love to see even more I like to do them by being positive and surrounding celebration of diversity here in the Palisades. myself with good positive people. What I’ve found is the widget doesn’t matter; it can be a space shuttle or a swing set or a whole community. I am comfortable Shafer: You served as president of the L.A. Rec- in how I can engage and make a difference and that reation and Parks Commission from 1995 to 2001, makes me feel good. It’s not work. People ask me how reinvigorating the city’s park system to better meet many hours I work, but I don’t know – it’s part of my the recreational needs of the people of Los Angeles. life. But through all of this, since 1971, I go home at 5 How did you get started in public policy? p.m. It is about balance. Balance is health. Soboroff: My public service life began in the In my experiences, I’ve learned so much about park in Pacific Palisades. When my oldest son was what is great about the Palisades and great about Los a year and a half old and I climbed up in the space Angeles and what can be better about both. needle at the Palisades Park and Recreation Cen- ter and I banged my head on the ceiling and I was bleeding. I went into the office to see if they had a Shafer: As President Police Commissioner, one Band-Aid and they had a cabinet that I thought was of your big campaigns has been to implement the filled with bats and balls, but it was filled with first use of lapel cameras on all LAPD officers in hopes aid. They told me people were getting hurt at the of reducing the number of lawsuits against officers park all the time – the paramedics were there twice a for misconduct or excessive use of force. Why have week. When I asked why they didn’t get new equip- you invested in this project and what are the finan- ment, they told me, ‘We’re on the list. We’ll have it cial implications? in 11 and a half years.’ Soboroff: This is a case where, like my wife So I rallied the neighbors and people gave from says, the truth will set you free. When an officer $5 to $500. It took 67 days and we had a new park. is wearing a camera, when people know they are We weren’t telling the city they were wrong. We being taped, a lot will just not happen. The cameras worked with the city to donate this park and we let protect both sides – the public and the officers. the park people decide how it would work because Recent statistics in other departments have they’re experienced. shown complaints against officers are down 80 per- That’s how I met Richard Riordan, he was the cent since they made the same choice to use cam- parks commissioner then and he called me the day eras. That is a huge number. If that happens at a he was elected and said, ‘Are you that guy who redid rate of only 50 percent in Los Angeles, it will save the park in the Palisades in 67 days when it was go- this city between $30-40 million each year, which ing to take us 11 and a half years? I need you to help I want to go back into quality-of-life programs like me change Los Angeles.’ officer overtime or back into the city programming By SIERRA SHAFER and facilities like parks. Staff Writer Instead of asking the city for money, that’s why Shafer: What is your response to Palisadians I got these financed privately, I wanted to deliver alisadian Steve Soboroff, Los Angeles Police Commission President, has a long history as who are concerned the community is underserved the money and put it back into the community. I a business leader and public servant who brings people together to get positive results. by the police force and the need for road mainte- thought I would have a better chance of doing that Among his many occupations, he has served as Senior Advisor to former Los Angeles nance, sidewalk repair and tree trimming in their if I didn’t ask for anything or just complain about Mayor Richard Riordan and was Chair of the $2.4 billion LAUSD Bond Citizens’ Over- neighborhoods? being underfunded. sight Committee that made safety and other improvements to more than 700 schools. The driving Soboroff: There are 200 neighborhoods in It cost $1.3 million. In Palisades’ money, that’s force behind bringing Staples Center to Los Angeles, Soboroff also helped spearhead the Alameda LA where this is a much bigger issue. In the Pal- not a lot. People who understand finance, and peo- Corridor Project in addition to finishing within 3 percent in the 2001 mayoral primary election in Los isades, many have the resources to trim their own ple in the Palisades do, know that a $1.3 million Angeles. For his role as the Senior Advisor to the California Science Center in its project with NASA trees! True that the city doesn’t have enough mon- investment that will return $20-30 million a year to bring the Space Shuttle Endeavour to Los Angeles, former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa dedicated ey, so the taxpayers aren’t getting the services they that will go back into the police department and the the Soboroff Sports Field complex in Exposition Park. are paying for. It is what it is. parks is quite a good investment. That’s why peo- The world’s foremost collector of typewriters that were previously owned by famous individuals, You can complain about it and write letters or ple gave me the money in 58 days. It was the same Commissioner Soboroff served as President of the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Commission you can bend over and pick up the trash if you don’t technique I used when I did the park 28 years ago and has a strong track record for creating, improving and protecting open space and parks for city want to have it on your street. I think you see that for $70,000. residents. Active in Big Brothers since 1968, Commissioner Soboroff currently sits as a member of the more and more in every neighborhood and that’s Board of Governors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. great. As mayor Riordan used to say, ‘Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.” Shafer: You have referred to the Palisades as I spend most of my time in communities that a community of privilege. How would you like to are underserved. It’s good to keep that in perspec- see the community use that privilege not only to im- tive. prove the Palisades but the Los Angeles community Shafer: As a longtime Palisadian with a histo- Shafer: You have lived in Pacific Palisades for Again true that we don’t have enough police and beyond? ry of proactive work in both the public and private 30 years with your wife Patti, raising five children officers to deploy into the Palisades because LAPD Soboroff: We can take our kids to celebrate all real estate sectors, how do you feel about the pending in this community. What have you seen change must deploy based on severity of calls. However, the great things going on in LA. I’m encouraged at changes to the Swarthmore area and the role of devel- during that time and has it been for the better? community policing works in the Palisades through the amount of community service that comes out of oper Rick Caruso? Soboroff: I have seen a number of positive neighborhood watch and being a witness to things. the Palisades. When I look at the programs at the Soboroff: Rick Caruso is absolutely the right changes in the Palisades; namely, a growth in di- If your neighbor’s kids are drunk and driving Temple and the churches and out of the schools, you developer for the project. The center of attention versity and the addition of the farmers market. The over the lawn, instead of sweeping things under can’t get enough of that. We need to do more and in Pacific Palisades has changed dramatically from farmers market is community in the best possible the rug, go knock on their door. Lawyering up and more because it makes our community stronger. I Swarthmore to Antioch. That’s ground zero. So, sense of neighborhood. I think those two things ‘mum’s the word’ is not the way to make a great love it when people do great projects in the Palisades. let’s figure out what moved the center of gravity have really been beneficial. city. No one has the right to protect someone who But I’d also like to see for every dollar spent in the and why I think Caruso is the right developer for Cultural diversity and age diversity have real- commits a crime and drives or runs away. There is Palisades, a dollar is given outside the Palisades. I’m Swarthmore. ly improved this community. When I came to the no excuse to cover up. proud of our community not for what Palisadians do What moved it were great tenants. Great tenants Palisades it was just a lot of older people because for the Palisades, but for what Palisadians do for the bring people. Elyse Walker hit a nerve, Café Vida nobody else could afford to live here. We were 30 world because we are very privileged here and very hit a nerve and Lemon Nails, in addition to the yo- when we moved into the neighborhood and people lucky. That’s the big picture. gurt stores and Patty Black, the expansion of The asked us where our folks were. Now, it’s still un- Join Cic LA Via or cheer on the LA Marathon; be Village School; I can just go down the list. affordable, but there are a lot more young people part of the city. I’d like to see more of that. You’ll feel There are services there and that area has be- who have been able to afford it one way or another. so much better about who you are and where you live. come a hub of activity. It’s a very convenient area There are a lot more families with kids and that’s It’s boring to me to miss out. You have an opportunity so it has blossomed. It starts at Kay ’N Dave’s and for the good. to make the city a better place and people appreciate goes all the way down to Gelson’s. It’s hot. Our parks system has also vastly improved. that. If you have extra tickets to a game, drop them off What will bring Swarthmore back will be the From the Palisades Recreation Center to the ac- at the fire station or to your buddy who works at the merchants Caruso has the ability to attract. I am not tive involvement of the community, not just the gas station. Give them to someone who’ll never have concerned about chain stores versus local. What money the city has put in, we’ve made progress. the chance to go. Don’t let them just sit there. That I’m concerned about is whoever is part of his proj- The city has been a willing partner, but the Pali- makes people feel good. I’ve got these great tickets ect provides a reason for Palisadians not to have to sades community has done a lot of things too. to Staples Center and I always told my kids, ‘If you drive to other places. The reason people drive to The first responders in the Palisades, whether want the tickets go take them, but you’re not taking other places is because of the kind of merchandise, they’re housed here like the fire guys, or the people your friends. Take someone from the Big Brothers or the depth of value and services. That isn’t exclusive that work the area, know the area and the people, Big Sisters waiting list. Take somebody that it’s going to locally owned businesses. I do care that stores are all much better. We also have the best first re- to be a meaningful experience for.’ It’s a great feeling. that are there hire locally, advertise locally, use lo- sponders in the Palisades. The people who work in Even if you have a nice car, put your license plate cal contractors and get involved with the communi- the fire stations are just the greatest. Come over for on the front. It’s the law. If your kid’s late to school in ty. The right merchants are the ones who are willing dinner any night, guys. I’d much rather hang out the morning, show them you don’t run stop signs or to invest in the community. with you than a lot of the socialites in this city. go 50 in the 25 mph zone or that you don’t text while If they’re owned by a public company versus Schools are better now than they were 30 years you’re driving. Those are things we can do better. somebody who lives two blocks away, it doesn’t ago, which is a real statement because there are a lot We’re at the point where the Palisades could go make any difference to me. It’s about providing ser- of difficulties in the LA system but the parents and the right way or we could go the wrong way. In this vice and value. As for who comes and who stays, the community have really taken an interest in the economy there aren’t too many places that have the I’m for voting – voting with your pocketbook. If public schools. I believe that the public schools in ability we do. We have a lot of people that have the people don’t like it, don’t shop there. As far as real the Palisades are far better and it’s benefited every- ability to affect a lot of people. It can be very healthy estate developers go, Caruso is the right guy. People one in the community. and this can be a great time for the Palisades commu- trust him. On the other hand, people in the Palisades don’t nity and for LA.