Let’s talk about nuisance properties. Every few weeks, one of these sites ends up on the news: a vacant lot taken over by trespassers, a hoarder house that poses a public health risk, or an abandoned building that has become a hotspot for illicit activity. And if you live near one, it can be hell. Neighbors fear for their safety just walking down the street. Rodents and unsanitary conditions create public health risks. Fire hazards sit unchecked, leaving families worried their own homes could be at risk. On top of all that, the City bureaucracy fails to act with the urgency that neighbors feel. Cases drag on for months or even years while communities are left to fend for themselves.

That’s because the system is broken. Right now, the City only gains meaningful enforcement tools after a long record of violations and documented risks is built up. In practice, that means waiting for a fire or another major incident before stepping in, when the focus should be on preventing those risks in the first place. The process runs across too many departments, slows under bureaucracy, and relies on voluntary compliance rather than demanding accountability.

This week, Councilmember Tim McOsker and I introduced a motion demanding the release of a long-overdue report that will allow us to streamline and strengthen nuisance property enforcement. That report was first ordered more than a year and a half ago, and the delay has left communities stuck with unsafe conditions while the City studies the problem. It is time for urgency and action.

Neighbors deserve safe streets and responsive government. Property owners who abandon their responsibilities should not be able to hide behind bureaucracy. The City needs stronger, clearer tools to step in quickly. This is about fairness, accountability, and protecting the quality of life in every neighborhood.

All my best,
Katy

The City Council approved a resolution this week supporting Proposition 50, the Election Rigging Response Act. The Proposition temporarily alters California’s congressional map for the next three election cycles, after which power returns to the Citizens Redistricting Commission. I believe this is an important step to protect the voices of California voters in Washington and combat the efforts of other states engaging in mid-decade partisan gerrymandering. California voters already face a massive structural imbalance in Congress. For example, our state has nearly 39.5 million people, about 68 times Wyoming’s population, yet both states still have only two senators. That makes it all the more important to protect fair representation in the House.

This week, the City Council approved a motion I co-authored with Councilmember Padilla to strengthen partnerships with Metro, LAUSD, and the Los Angeles Community College District on their housing initiatives. Metro has committed to 10,000 new units by 2031, LAUSD is developing employee housing, and LACCD has launched a student housing program. Our motion directs City Planning to coordinate directly with these agencies, provide technical support, and identify ways to remove barriers that slow down construction.

The City Council recently approved my motion to allocate $35,000 for public safety enhancements in Beverly Grove. The funds will go to the Los Angeles Police Foundation to purchase automated license plate recognition cameras, which capture license plates of passing vehicles and alert LAPD if a car is connected to a crime. These cameras are already in use in Melrose and Cheviot Hills, where they have helped investigators solve burglaries and track suspects. Residents in Beverly Grove have raised concerns about home burglaries, and I introduced this measure to give law enforcement another tool to respond quickly and effectively while providing peace of mind for the community.