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LOS ANGELES — Marqueece Harris-Dawson was sworn in as Metropolis Council president Sept. 20, succeeding Paul Krekorian in a ceremony marked by a standing ovation and the passing of the gavel.
Harris-Dawson will lead the council not less than till December, directing the 15-member council in addressing homelessness, housing objectives and insurance policies affecting practically 4 million Los Angeles residents.
In December, with not less than one new member following the Nov. 5 election, the council will conduct one other vote for council management.
Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who chairs the council’s Funds, Finance and Innovation Committee, will function the subsequent president professional tem.
The management transition follows Krekorian’s announcement earlier this 12 months that he would step down as a result of his upcoming departure from the council in December, as mandated by time period limits. Krekorian formally led his remaining council assembly Sept. 18.
“It is a massive day,” Harris-Dawson stated. “Thanks all a lot for all the pieces that you simply’ve given, the power that you simply introduced into this room and introduced me to this second.”
In his speech, Harris-Dawson outlined his imaginative and prescient for town — giving everyone a chance to weigh in on the large points.
“All of us dwell in locations that possibly had been a bit of shiner after we bought right here than they’re now, and possibly had been a bit of extra peaceable than they’re now,” he stated. “All of us have the job of restoring town once more, to go away it not less than nearly as good — if not higher — than the folks left it to us.”
Residents of the Eighth District first elected Harris-Dawson in 2015, when he received 62% of the vote in an space, encompassing neighborhoods similar to Baldwin Hills, Chesterfield Sq., Crenshaw, Jefferson Park and others.
“I’ve seen Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson’s work as a fierce advocate to advance social and financial justice for all Angelenos up shut for years,” Mayor Karen Bass stated in a press release. “He is aware of find out how to get issues accomplished and is aware of that we are able to get extra accomplished after we collaborate versus double down in pointless battle.”
The mayor emphasised that the Metropolis Council is a “very important accomplice” in efforts to maneuver L.A. ahead.
“I look ahead to persevering with this work with the brand new council president and all the Metropolis Council as we work to serve the folks of Los Angeles,” Bass added.
In a sit-down interview with Metropolis Information Service in his council workplace on the fourth ground of Metropolis Corridor, Harris-Dawson stated he was “very excited and really humbled” to function the subsequent council president.
“The thrilling a part of L.A. proper now’s that we’re the most important metropolis with most likely the most important issues, actually in the US, however most likely on this planet, and so we now have to supply the most important options,” Harris-Dawson stated.
“On the identical time, we’ve been placed on the clock as a result of the world chosen us to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Video games and to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” he added. “We’ve bought to be prepared and put our greatest foot ahead. On the identical time, we’ve bought to try this in a manner that will increase the standard of life for Angelenos as a result of Angelenos are having a troublesome time.”
He shared that his relationship with Bass might be a profit to metropolis governance. Harris-Dawson and Bass have an extended historical past courting again to 1995, when he joined the Neighborhood Coalition, and later succeeded Bass as president and CEO of the South L.A. nonprofit.
“We’re all higher after we’re working collectively — after we’re rowing in the identical route, particularly with the magnitude of the issues that we face,” Harris-Dawson stated. “Competitors may be good, however competitors within the political sense may also be counterproductive.”
The councilman famous that any main modifications to council committees might are available December, as soon as a brand new council is established.
Harris-Dawson talked about the potential of including a committee targeted on unarmed response packages within the metropolis. He additionally expressed his frustration with the “rancor and lack of decorum” in council conferences, and the way L.A. is at an obstacle as a result of processes are sluggish.
“I additionally get involved about how, as a result of we’re a giant metropolis, it takes some time to maneuver,” Harris-Dawson stated. “There may be know-how that may transfer the needle and assist us do issues sooner and higher, and doesn’t contain anyone dropping their job. It’d contain a employee studying some new abilities, however it doesn’t contain an enormous job loss. However we’re caught for some motive.”
On public security, there’s a giant query which will quickly get a solution as to who would be the subsequent chief of police.
Interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi has led the division since March after former chief Michel Moore resigned in February.
Harris-Dawson stated he want to see a police chief who might be a proponent and an advocate for, and champion of, reform efforts, in addition to community-safety partnerships and gang-intervention efforts such because the Disaster and Incident Response by way of Neighborhood-led Engagement program, also referred to as CIRCLE.
“We’re going to need someone who takes us into the long run,” he added.
He famous there are different components necessary to public security, similar to enhancing roads, stopping car accidents, addressing nuisance properties and guaranteeing avenue lighting.
“There’s a wide range of issues. You possibly can’t simply take an overlay and say this works for everyone — various things work in numerous communities and we have to suss that out and assist facilitate that,” Harris-Dawson stated.
One of many councilman’s objectives might be to proceed efforts on homelessness. In response to the 2024 Higher Los Angeles Homeless Depend, there have been 45,252 unhoused people within the metropolis of L.A. in comparison with 46,260 in 2023, a lower of about 2.2%.
Moreover, the report confirmed a discount in unsheltered homelessness of 10.4% within the metropolis.
The 54-year-old additionally shared some recommendation, reflecting on his political profession.
“Discover one thing particular and discrete that you simply wish to make a distinction in. Discover the people who find themselves doing that and work with them,” Harris-Dawson stated.
“The second factor is relationships. Relationships. Relationships,” he stated. “You don’t wish to transfer alone or transfer as a person. You wish to transfer inside within the context of group or communities. You need folks that consider in you … that present up and make your marketing campaign an actual chance.”
Final, he stated, “Don’t concentrate on the prize. Deal with the method.”
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