 This has been a difficult year for LA County—but I am proud of how we are responding to all of the challenges we face.
That is the message I gave at my State of the County address in San Pedro this week. I laid out some of our struggles—from the number of people sleeping on our streets, to the recent wildfires, to the ICE raids that began last summer.
But I also spoke about some of the things that are giving me hope:
-
The Harbor Area Peace Patrol tracked and documented ICE’s secretive tactics—and I believe they are the reason ICE ultimately packed up and left Terminal Island.
-
We are working to transform vacant buildings on the Metropolitan State Hospital campus in Norwalk into a mental healthcare village called the LA County Care Community.
- Young men who are in our custody at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall have worked with Assemblymember Isaac Bryan to draft legislation that will finally allow them to hug their moms. The "Hug Act" will improve the lives of not only these young men, but of all the youth who come after them.
-
Work is underway to launch a water taxi between San Pedro and Long Beach for the 2028 Olympics, and I want us to make it permanent.
And those are just a few of the projects we have underway that will make life better for residents across LA County.
I have two and a half years left in office, and I am going to spend that time strengthening our safety net and fighting for LA County. We’ve been bruised and battered, but we are resilient.
 I joined Whittier’s City Council reorganization this week, where we said farewell to Mayor Joe Vinatieri, Mayor Pro Tem Octavio Martinez and Councilmember Fernando Dutra— and we welcomed newly elected Mayor James Becerra, and Councilmembers Vicky Santana and Aida Macedo.
I know elected office is not easy, and I want to thank Mayor Vinatieri, Mayor Pro Tem Martinez and Councilmember Dutra for their service to Whittier.
I also want to thank Mayor Becerra and Councilmembers Santana and Macedo for stepping up to serve their community. Whittier voters spoke decisively, and I look forward to working with this new council to fight for the people of Whittier.
Congratulations on this new chapter!
 Two years ago, the Fisherman’s Memorial in San Pedro was vandalized, and its plaques were stolen—and work has been underway ever since to repair and replace them.
My office has worked with other organizations in the harbor area to recreate these plaques, and last weekend we finally unveiled and rededicated this memorial. It honors not just an industry, but the lives, sacrifices, and traditions of the men and women who made San Pedro what it is today.
Thank you to Kris Pielago and the San Pedro Fishermen’s Memorial Committee for all of your hard work in bringing this memorial back to life for our community.
 I joined the Love Hug Music Festival in San Pedro last weekend as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week came to a close.
This was a beautiful event bringing together families who have lost loved ones and leaders from across local and state governments who advocate for them—and it was all organized by Justice for Murdered Children, an extraordinary organization founded by an extraordinary woman, LaWanda Hawkins.
I’ve known LaWanda since I was on the City Council and have witnessed her incredible generosity and advocacy for families of murdered people. I don’t think we could even begin to measure her incredible impact. Thank you, LaWanda.
Earth Month came to an end this week—but our work doesn’t stop here.
I invited the Conservation Corps of Long Beach to be honored at our board meeting in recognition of the work they do year-round to protect our environment.
Thank you to the CCLB for your service to Long Beach and our entire region.
 The first section of Metro's D Line Extension opens Friday—and they are celebrating with community events at stations all along the new line.
You can join salsa classes, shop small business pop-ups, relax with meditation and guided yoga, or even play pickleball. These events are easy to access from the A Line, with just one transfer at the 7th Street / Metro Center Station.
Surfrider is hosting their 3rd Annual San Gabriel River Clean-Up on May 31, and they are looking for volunteers to join.
If you want to help clean up your community, this is a great opportunity to get involved.
Our LA County Parks are hosting a free, weeklong series of sunset experiences from May 14–22, from 4:30–6:30 PM.
Come unwind, connect, and recharge through activities such as yoga, meditation, dance, and canvas painting while you enjoy your local park at sunset.
|
(213) 974-4444
fourthdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
