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This week marked the first day of school for hundreds of thousands of students across Los Angeles at LAUSD and other private schools. The start of a school year always brings change. Students are settling into new classrooms, meeting teachers, and adjusting to new routines. It also changes how we think about safety. The City plays an important role in that, especially in making sure students can get to and from school safely. Since I took office, we’ve established hundreds of School Slow Zones citywide, added speed humps, tightened intersections, introduced “No Right Turn on Red” restrictions, consistently worked with LAPD to enforce “No Camping” zones around schools, and deployed nearly 500 crossing guards. This is important progress, but many schools in CD5 still need safety upgrades. I recently met with LAUSD Superintendent Carvalho, and we share the same goal: ensuring every student in Los Angeles can get to and from school safely. We will keep working with parents, teachers, and the community until that is a reality for every child.
I want to acknowledge that for many families, the start of school this year is happening under a cloud of fear. We are still reeling from the aggressive and illegal raids by federal agents in neighborhoods across Los Angeles, including here on the Westside. Masked agents have stopped Angelenos without warrants, raided workplaces, and even crashed into cars to detain individuals. This is not how public safety should work. It has kept families indoors, disrupted businesses, and left many parents afraid to walk their children to school.
LAUSD and the City are responding. LAUSD created “Safe Passage” routes, expanded transportation for families who request it, and trained principals and staff on what to do if immigration agents are near a campus. This week, I stood alongside Mayor Bass and Westside community leaders to reiterate our demand that the federal government end these blatantly unconstitutional tactics immediately. My office will continue working with schools, legal advocates, and community groups to make sure residents know their rights, can access resources, and feel safe sending their children to class. I also recently announced that my office is printing and distributing Red Cards free of charge. If you are part of an organization that would like to distribute Red Cards to those who need them, please reach out to my office directly.
The School District has shared additional general resources for the start of the year, including a 24/7 Family Hotline at (213) 443-1300 for questions about school safety programs, as well as free before and after school programs through Beyond the Bell. Parents can also request school bus routes that work for their schedules.
As a parent with three school-age kids, I know how much energy and planning goes into these first few days. For those with kids, I hope the mornings have been relatively smooth and everything is off to a good start. And for all of us, let’s keep looking out for one another and keeping every child safe on their way to and from school.
All my best,
Katy |
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Westwood Pool Party
On Friday evening, my office partnered with Recreation and Parks Aquatics to host a Summer Pool Party at the Westwood Recreation Center. Families, friends, and neighbors came together to enjoy swimming, games, and time with one another. Thank you to everyone who joined us! |
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Making it Easier to Build Better-Looking Apartment Buildings
The Council's Planning and Land Use Committee took a step forward in changing a small but very important part of our building code that will dramatically improve how new multifamily buildings are built. In response to a motion I introduced last winter, the Department of Building and Safety issued a report recommending an update so that multifamily residential buildings up to six stories can be built with a single exit stairway, following the safety model used in Seattle and New York City. This change unlocks new opportunities for smaller apartment buildings and courtyard housing, especially on constrained lots where a second staircase would otherwise make projects infeasible. It would also make it easier to build larger family-sized apartments. The full Council is expected to take up the report this week, with the final change expected to take effect before October 1, 2025.
Partnering with Public Agencies to Build More Housing
Metro, LAUSD, and the Los Angeles Community College District collectively own significant amounts of land in the City. Many of these sites could be developed with affordable housing for students, teachers, and working families. This week, I introduced a motion directing City departments to work closely with these agencies to remove barriers, align zoning, and speed up approvals for housing on their properties. This kind of partnership is essential if we are going to meet our housing goals.
Restricting Oversized Vehicle Parking in Residential Areas
In response to community concerns, the City Council approved my resolution to restrict overnight parking of oversized vehicles on several streets in CD5. With this change, parking of vehicles over 22 feet long or seven feet high will be prohibited from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on the following street segments:
- Preuss Road between South Robertson Boulevard and Airdrome Street
- Whitworth Drive between South Beverly Drive and La Cienega Boulevard
- Cashio Street between South Roxbury Drive and South Robertson Boulevard
- Airdrome Street between Rexford Drive and La Cienega Boulevard
- South Lucerne Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and 9th Street
- South Gramercy Place between West 9th Street and West Olympic Boulevard
- Lucerne Boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and West 8th Street
- Lucerne Boulevard between Francis Avenue and West 9th Street
- West 10th Street between South Wilton Place and South Gramercy Place
- Cotner Avenue between Ohio Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard
- Pontius Avenue between Ohio Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard
My office will continue to work with neighbors to ensure our streets are safe, accessible, and well-maintained for everyone who lives and travels through them. |
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Parents Night Out - Saturday, August 23, 2025
Recreation and Parks is offering a Parents Night Out at select Recreation Centers on Saturday, August 23, 2025. The program is for youth ages 5–12 and includes dinner, a snack, supervision, and activities. Registration is $25 per child, and the program runs from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (check-out at 10:00 p.m. will be strictly enforced). Registration is available online for participating parks at laparks.org!
7th Annual Beautification Conference - Register Today!
Come network and collaborate with other Angelenos on topics focused on beautifying Los Angeles. Learn how to get involved, host your own community cleanup, and discover the various resources local partners and City agencies have to offer. To register, please click the following link: https://forms.gle/Q7JYrMcrckfBuVTG6
LA’s BEST Applications Now Open
Calling all parents, caregivers, and guardians. LA’s BEST is now accepting applications for the 2025–2026 school year. Afterschool Enrichment Programs are free and offered at over 200 LAUSD elementary schools. Apply today: lasbest.org/application
Coffee With A Cop | August 19, 2025
Join us for Coffee With A Cop, hosted by Macy’s Beverly Center in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Division. This is a chance to enjoy coffee, donuts, and conversation while connecting with local officers. Come meet your Senior Lead Officer, ask questions, and share your thoughts on safety and neighborhood issues.
Location: Macy’s Beverly Center (Level 6 – 8500 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048)
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wilshire Division Carnival | September 19–21, 2025
Join the Wilshire Station Boosters and LAPD Wilshire Division for a fun-filled weekend at the annual Carnival. Enjoy rides, games, delicious food, and live entertainment for the whole family. Don’t miss your chance to connect with neighbors and support the community while making great memories.
Location: Venice Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Rimpau Boulevard
DATE: Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21, 2025
Presale Tickets: Available at the Wilshire Division Police Station, same day tickets available as well. |
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Call to Artists: East San Fernando Valley and G Line Stations
Metro invites visual artists in Los Angeles County to apply for 12 public art opportunities connected to transit projects serving the San Fernando Valley. Artists will create 2D artwork for the East San Fernando Valley Project and G Line Improvements. Learn more and apply at bit.ly/ESFVandGLine by Monday, September 22, at 11:59 p.m. PDT. |
If you have any need pertaining to the City of Los Angeles, please reach out:
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7005
(323) 866-1828
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Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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