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For more than ten years, one of the largest encampments on the Westside was on Cotner Avenue and nearby streets, adjacent to the 405 freeway. Dozens of people lived there without stability or support, and the area became a center of crime, human trafficking, narcotics, and serious public health concerns. The level of human suffering was unacceptable, as was the impact on the surrounding neighborhood. This week, that changed. Every person who had been living there is now housed through the City’s Inside Safe program, and the street is clear.
When I took office, several major encampments across Council District 5 told similar stories — on San Vicente, Sixth and Fairfax, at Poinsettia Park, and on Jasmine Avenue. Hundreds of people at these sites had spent years without shelter or services, often cycling between the same sidewalks and temporary placements. Each one of these encampments has now been resolved, and everyone who lived in them was offered a bed and support. That includes about 79 people who came inside from along Cotner and nearby streets this week.
This progress took time and steady effort from outreach workers, my team, the Mayor’s Office, and the City’s Inside Safe program, and local partners who showed up week after week. Across the district, homelessness is down 27 percent, and we’re on track to triple the number of interim housing beds in District Five within the next six to nine months. Across Los Angeles, nearly 28,000 people moved into permanent housing last year, the highest number ever recorded.
These numbers represent real progress, and they matter. But progress is not victory. The results don’t mean much if you’re still sleeping outside and need help, if you’re a small business owner with a tent in front of your door, or if you’re a parent walking your child past an encampment on the way to school.
Encampment resolutions also only work if they last. My team and I are now focused on keeping Cotner clear, just as we have at other sites across CD5. We are working with the local business community, the Mayor’s office, neighborhood associations, the County Department of Mental Health, and LAPD to closely monitor the area and make sure tents do not return.
There are still too many people living on our streets, and we need to move faster to bring people inside. What happened on Cotner Avenue shows what is possible when the City stays focused and committed to lasting solutions. I’m grateful to all of our City partners for making this possible, and I’ll continue to keep you updated on our progress.
All my best,
Katy
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The Great Pumpkin Bash is back! Next Saturday, November 1, from 11 AM to 2 PM, join me and my team, along with the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, at Pan Pacific Park for a family-friendly afternoon filled with music, good food, and some good old-fashioned pumpkin smashing.
The Pumpkin Bash is one of my favorite events of the year because it brings our community together to celebrate the season, learn how to live a little more sustainably, and just have fun. This year’s event will feature the Pumpkin Smash Zone, where you can take a swing at your old jack-o’-lanterns and then help turn them into compost, along with a costume parade for kids, a chance to win Dodgers souvenirs, bounce houses, prizes, pumpkin-themed treats, and a special activation by the Discovery Cube.
Enjoy food from local favorites like Dupar’s, Angelini Osteria, and Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine, there will also be sustainability workshops, cooking demos, free shade trees and composting pails to take home.
This event is free and open to everyone. I’m grateful to our partners at the Board of Public Works, Athens Services, Recreation and Parks, LA Parks Foundation, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Audacy Media for helping make it possible. I hope you’ll join us for a fun and memorable afternoon at Pan Pacific Park.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Pan Pacific Park
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Neighborhood Meetings Across CD5
Last week, I joined the Hancock Park Homeowners Association, the Mid City West Neighborhood Council, and the Bel Air Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council for their regular meetings. Each community meeting focused on neighborhood-specific concerns, including streetlight and sidewalk repairs in Hancock Park, public safety and the new Automated License Plate Readers my office is helping install in Beverly Grove, and the the State’s proposed Zone Zero regulations and their potential impact on the hillsides.
But across all three meetings, many concerns were strikingly similar. Residents asked about how the City will implement SB 79, how we can keep neighborhoods safe, and how we will manage reduced City services during the ongoing budget constraints. These conversations help guide my work at City Hall, and I am grateful to everyone who shared their time and perspective. |
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Wilshire Park’s Annual Halloween Haunt
Yesterday, I stopped by Wilshire Park’s Annual Halloween Haunt with my kids for some early Halloween fun. The Wilshire Park Homeowners Association, led by Lorna Hennington, put on a fantastic event, and it was great to see the whole neighborhood out enjoying the season together. |
SHINE LA in Council District Five
This weekend, our office partnered with Mayor Bass, LA 28 and many community partners for SHINE LA, a citywide effort that brings Angelenos together to care for their neighborhoods. Along the Fairfax corridor between Wilshire and Melrose, more than 150 volunteers spent the morning cleaning streets and improving public spaces. It was great to see so many people pitching in to keep our community clean and welcoming. Join us for the next Shine LA here. |
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Mar Vista Gateway Mural Project
I’m excited to share that artist Julia Fordyce has been chosen to create the Mar Vista Gateway Mural, a new public art project near the 405 on Venice Boulevard! This project is a collaboration between my office, Councilwoman Traci Park, and the Department of Cultural Affairs. My hope is that it will transform this part of Mar Vista into a celebration of neighborhood identity and local creativity. Julia’s murals can be found across Los Angeles, and her work is known for bringing color, movement, and a strong sense of place. As the project moves forward, there will be opportunities for residents to help shape the design and share their stories about what makes Mar Vista special. |
Touring Destination Crenshaw
Last week, I joined Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilmember Traci Park, and Councilmember Heather Hutt for a tour of Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3-mile cultural and public art corridor along Crenshaw Boulevard celebrating the history and contributions of Black Los Angeles. The project features new pocket parks, public art, and gathering spaces that honor the legacy and creativity of the Crenshaw community. Once opened, it will hold the largest outdoor collection of art by Black artists in the world. I can’t wait for you to see it once it is fully opened to the public next year. The chance to see how other Council offices are finding ways to create and activate joyful public spaces inspired me and my team to consider opportunities in Council District Five. We’re looking forward to beginning some of those conversations soon! |
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Council Approves Metal and Wire Theft Reward Program
Last week, the City Council approved the Metal and Wire Theft Reward Program, which allows LAPD to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest or conviction of individuals who steal or vandalize City-owned metal and wire. Copper wire theft has become a serious problem, damaging public infrastructure like streetlights, railings, and plaques, and leaving neighborhoods in the dark. This new ordinance gives law enforcement another tool to deter these crimes, hold offenders accountable, help protect City property, and keep our streets and public spaces safe.
National Clergy Appreciation Month
Last week, I joined my Council colleagues in marking National Clergy Appreciation Month and recognizing faith leaders who serve communities across Los Angeles. We had the privilege of honoring Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky of B’nai David-Judea for his decades of leadership and commitment to dignity, inclusion, and interfaith understanding. Under Rabbi Kanefsky’s guidance, the congregation hired the first female Orthodox clergy member in Los Angeles and created a space where everyone feels welcome. Rabbi Kanefsky’s thoughtfulness, kindness, and integrity have strengthened not only his congregation but our city as a whole. It was an honor to recognize his huge impact on Los Angeles. |
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Earlier this month, advocates, service providers, and survivors joined me in Council chambers to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Even with a billion-dollar budget deficit, the Council’s Budget Committee secured a historic funding increase for survivor services earlier this year. That investment created 187 new shelter beds across Los Angeles, expanding access to safe housing for those escaping violence.
Survivors deserve safety and support at every stage of their journey. That is why we created the Domestic Violence Restraining Order Enforcement Task Force, a citywide partnership that brings together law enforcement, the City Attorney, and community organizations. The Task Force recently received a one-million-dollar grant to expand its work and ensure survivors can access protection when they need it most.
This month is a time to reflect on how far we have come and to recommit to the work ahead, building a city that protects, uplifts, and believes survivors.
AB630 Signed by the Governor
For years, outdated state law made it nearly impossible to remove unsafe, often abandoned RVs from our streets. Even when they leaked sewage or posed serious health risks, cities had to store and auction them instead of disposing of them. That meant a broken-down RV could be towed away, then end up back on the street days later, creating the same problem all over again. It was infuriating and a waste of taxpayer dollars.
My office worked with Assemblymember Mark González to fix this. The new law allows cities to permanently remove uninhabitable RVs while keeping the focus on helping people move into stable housing.
Motion to Support Small Landlords Approved by Council
Last Wednesday, the City Council approved my motion to explore new ways the City can better support small landlords as they navigate and implement our housing regulations. These property owners are essential partners in maintaining stable, affordable housing across Los Angeles, yet they often struggle with complex rules and limited resources. The motion directs the City to look at consolidating posting requirements, dedicating LAHD staff to assist with small landlord inquiries, and creating a deferred maintenance fund to help preserve existing housing. |
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Link Union Station Environmental Impact Report Approved
Last week, the Metro Board voted to approve a final supplemental environmental impact report for the Link Union Station project. This action will help modernize the railways at Union Station with new run-through tracks, expanded passenger areas, and upgraded signal systems. These improvements will reduce train delays, improve service reliability, and prepare the station for high-speed rail. The project also supports a growing transit network and strengthens regional mobility. The Board also approved a related motion to support a rail yard relocation in the City of Vernon. We look forward to the project being built and all the high road construction jobs this project will bring to LA. This project now moves into the design and engineering phase. To learn more about the project, visit Metro’s website. |
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Cafe Knotted
If you’ve walked through Westfield Century City recently, you’ve probably seen the lines outside Cafe Knotted. The dessert café originated in Seoul, and is known for its cream-filled doughnuts and inventive coffee drinks. Cafe Knotted opened its first U.S. location earlier this year at Westfield Century City, and has been drawing visitors from across Los Angeles ever since.
This weekend, Cafe Knotted is bringing its signature pumpkin doughnuts to our Great Pumpkin Bash at Pan Pacific Park — the first 100 guests will get one free. From their classic milk cream and strawberry doughnuts to creative drinks like chestnut tiramisu lattes, Cafe Knotted has quickly become one of the city’s sweetest new additions and is a great example of how global flavors continue to find a home in Los Angeles. |
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Council District Five Internship Opportunities
Our office is now accepting college or graduate-level interns to join our District Office team for the Spring and Summer semesters. Interns will gain hands-on experience in city government, working directly with staff on community engagement, constituent services, and policy research. This is a great opportunity for students interested in public service to contribute to meaningful work while learning how local government operates. Learn more about the role here. Applications due by October 20, 2025.
LA28 Procurement Series Webinar
LA28 is hosting the next session in its Procurement Series to help small and local businesses access contracting opportunities for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This webinar will include a preview of LA28’s upcoming Procurement Plan and highlight opportunities in the Food and Beverage sector.
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PT
Location: Virtual (link provided upon registration)
Please register here to confirm your attendance.
Westwood Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project
The Westwood Boulevard Safety and Mobility Project begins its first phase of outreach to hear your priorities, concerns, and ideas for improving safety and closing critical gaps in the transportation network. With important connections to Westwood Village, UCLA, Metro E-line, and future Metro D-line, the project aims to create a safer, seamless street for people walking, biking, driving, and taking transit.
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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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