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Los Angeles has a streetlight emergency. One in ten lights are out across the city, and my colleagues and I on the City Council are done asking residents to wait on a system that is not delivering. This week, after months of pushing internally for a faster path forward, I announced a two-pronged plan to get lights back on across Council District 5 and to drive a broader citywide response. 

When one in ten streetlights citywide is out, thousands of blocks are darker than they should be. I hear about this issue almost daily from residents, business owners, and LAPD officers. Last week, I met with rank-and-file officers at Olympic Division, and the number one question they had for me was when the lights were coming back on. That’s because dark streets make it easier to commit crimes, drivers are less likely to see a pedestrian cross an intersection, and people feel less safe walking from their car to their front door or walking their dog. 

Part of this emergency is the cycle many residents in CD5 know too well. Someone reports an outage and waits months for a repair. A crew finally restores the light. Days or weeks later, someone steals the copper wiring again, and the block goes dark. Since 2006, copper wire theft alone has cost the City more than $10 million. We fix the same light two or three times and still end up back where we started. 

The other part is structural. The Bureau of Street Lighting maintains roughly 220,000 lights, yet more than 90 percent of the assessment that funds the system has been frozen since 1996. The assessment brings in about $45 million a year, close to what it generated nearly thirty years ago. Costs have increased while the system has grown, but the revenue has stayed flat. An assessment increase is moving forward – and it is necessary – but neighborhoods should not sit in the dark while that process plays out. 

The solution I announced has two parts. First, Council District 5 and Council District 11 are partnering to immediately fund a dedicated repair crew and overtime focused on our neighborhoods. This adds immediate capacity and helps crews move through the backlog faster. When a light goes out, you should not wait almost a year for a repair. 

Second, I introduced a motion with Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez to finance a $65 million citywide push to harden our streetlights by converting them to solar. Solar lights do not rely on copper wiring, which makes them less vulnerable to theft. This is how we stop repairing the same lights again and again. The Bureau estimates about 60,000 lights qualify for conversion. 

The assessment increase remains critical to stabilize the system for the long term. But we can’t wait. We have to fix what we can and harden what we can so the lights stay on. As we deploy this new crew, please continue reporting outages through 311 and let my office know if you are not seeing progress. We are tracking repair timelines closely and will stay on this until the lights are back on.
The Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation, Department of Water and Power, Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Transportation have activated wet weather and emergency response protocols. Crews are monitoring storm drains, responding to blockages, restoring power, clearing downed trees, and addressing flooding and roadway hazards as conditions change.

Here is how you can help reduce storm impacts and stay safe:

  • Report flooding, clogged storm drains, fallen trees, or street hazards by calling 311 or LA Sanitation at 800-773-2489
  • Avoid parking on streets prone to flooding. Parked cars block storm drains and increase flood risk
  • Limit travel whenever possible
  • If driving is necessary, slow down and never drive through flooded streets
  • Treat all downed power lines as live and dangerous
  • Report power outages to LADWP at 1-800-342-5397 or ladwp.com/outages
  • For life-threatening emergencies or fast-moving water, call 911
Residents near hillsides, canyons, or areas with prior fire damage should remain alert for mud or rock movement and be prepared to move to higher ground if conditions worsen. The Los Angeles Fire Department offers up to 25 free, ready-to-fill sandbags year-round at all Neighborhood Fire Stations. Call ahead to confirm availability. City crews continue coordinating around the clock to keep storm drains, streets, and rights of way clear. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org to receive real-time updates by text or email.
The Village Community Advisory Board Appreciation Lunch!
On Monday, my office hosted an appreciation lunch for the Community Advisory Board for The Village at Midvale and Pico, our first interim housing site for general population adults in Council District 5. The 33-bed facility opened in July, and this Board was formed before the site came online to ensure the surrounding neighborhood had a consistent seat at the table. Since then, George and Vanessa from my team have co-hosted monthly meetings with Board members and service provider First Day to share updates, surface concerns, and problem-solve in real time. That partnership has made a difference. Six residents have already secured or are transitioning into permanent housing, and ongoing coordination has helped maintain cleanliness and responsiveness in the surrounding area. The Board’s steady engagement is critical to integrating this site into the community and make sure it operates as we said it would.
City and Federal Cooperation
On Wednesday, my team hosted a working lunch with Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove’s team at our District Office. We discussed potential federal funding for projects in Council District 5, ways to coordinate before, during, and after immigration enforcement actions, and how to better support local small businesses. Strong partnerships between City Hall and our federal representatives help us move projects forward, respond to community concerns more effectively, and make sure our district is positioned to access every available resource.
Cracking Down on Illegal Street-Facing Ads
This week, I introduced a motion with Councilmember Bob Blumenfield to crack down on illegal street-facing advertisements across Los Angeles. In too many neighborhoods, entire buildings are wrapped in ads, vacant lots display oversized signage, and digital billboards operate without permits. In some cases, property owners make more money from signage than from building housing or moving forward with development. The result is more litter, visual blight, and public safety concerns, while operators continue to profit. 

Our motion directs the City Attorney, Planning, as well as Building and Safety to draft a stronger ordinance that creates real consequences. It would require operators to register with the City, disclose their full inventory of street-facing ads, face steep daily fines, and hold property owners accountable. It also reforms construction wall sign rules so advertising does not reward long-term vacancies and ensures the City receives appropriate revenue when public-facing advertising is allowed. 

If companies want to advertise in Los Angeles, they need to follow the rules and respect the communities where they operate. The City will also now be in a position to profitshare from legal temporary signs while bringing in more money to improve basic city services without raising Angelenos’ taxes.
Community Rally for the Metro K Line North Extension
On Thursday, I joined Mayor John Heilman, the West Hollywood City Council, and regional leaders to rally in support of the San Vicente–Fairfax alignment of the Metro K Line, Northern Extension. This project is a major step toward building a rail system that actually functions as a network, not a series of disconnected lines. 

Metro is considering three alignments, all of which run through Council District 5 and connect to the Metro D Line, which is set to bring rail service to Century City and UCLA. With the Sepulveda Transit Corridor project also advancing, we are looking at a set of coordinated investments that link the Valley, the Westside, and major job centers across our region. 

The San Vicente–Fairfax route connects directly to Cedars-Sinai, one of the largest employers in the region, and strengthens the link between Cedars, UCLA, and the broader transit system. Thousands of workers, patients, and families travel to these destinations every day. Connecting them by rail improves access, reduces traffic pressure, and supports our climate goals. 

In the coming weeks, the Metro Board is expected to vote on the project. I will continue working with Metro, West Hollywood, and our regional partners to make sure we choose an alignment that delivers strong ridership, financial feasibility, and real connectivity for our communities. 


Tell Metro What Matters Most to You-My Metro Budget Activity
Metro is excited to invite you to participate in the FY27 My Metro Budget Activity. 
Explore Metro’s comprehensive budget, understand where the money comes from, where it goes, and the choices involved in creating a balanced and effective transportation budget for LA County.  

Bonus Gift Alert: Share your email or phone number, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $100 TAP card or a $50 gift card.  Start building your budget today at: https://mybudget.metro.net/online 
Speed Safety Systems Program Public Review Period
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation has begun the official public review period for the City’s Speed Safety Systems Program pilot, which would install speed cameras at specific locations across the city.

This pilot is designed to reduce speed-related injuries and deaths on our streets. LADOT is encouraging Angelenos to review the proposal and share feedback before the program launches. You can learn more about the pilot and submit comments through LADOT’s website.
Join Us at the Ohio Avenue + Westwood Boulevard Transportation Thursday’s Open House!
LADOT is hosting a series of open houses to share what they heard from the community and present proposed designs for Ohio Avenue and Westwood Boulevard. Last fall, the department engaged more than 7,500 community members through pop-ups, surveys, and events. Many residents called for safer crossings, dedicated space for cyclists, and traffic calming measures. 

These open houses are an opportunity to review the proposed designs, ask questions, and provide feedback before plans are finalized. Your input will help shape the next phase of safety and mobility improvements in Westwood. 

Children are welcome, refreshments will be served, and Spanish and Mandarin interpretation will be available upon request. Please see the dates below and RSVP to attend. 

Free Tax Preparation Services
Residents can access free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. This service helps eligible individuals and families file taxes at no cost and claim credits such as the CalEITC, Federal EITC, and Child Tax Credit.

WHEN: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
WHERE: Iman Cultural Center, 3376 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034

Appointments are required. Call 323-909-1975 or book online at imancenter.youcanbook.me.

Free Concerts at Westwood Library l March 14 l 3:00 PM 
Friends of Westwood Library and Los Angeles Musical Salon present free monthly concerts designed for children and teens. The series introduces young audiences to live music in a fun and engaging setting.

WHEN: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 3:00 PM
WHERE: Westwood Library, Upstairs, 1246 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024

Admission and parking are free. For ADA accommodations, call 213-228-7430 at least 72 hours in advance. 

Community Beautification
Residents can request free tools for neighborhood cleanups through the City’s Community Beautification program. Request cleanup supplies here.

Residents can also register for a free rain barrel through the Office of Community Beautification to help conserve water and manage storm runoff.
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

District Office
5416 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 866-1828
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Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky

200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

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