Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
City Councilmember Joe Buscaino Wants LA Mayor Job
Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino wears a "YIMBY" (Yes In My Back Yard) shirt during an unveiling event for Elon Musk's The Boring Company test tunnel in Hawthorne on December 18, 2018. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)
()
Joe Buscaino is the first Los Angeles city councilmember to confirm a campaign for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022, setting his sights on the city’s top job when Eric Garcetti is termed out next year.
The Democrat said in a statement on Monday that he plans to make combating crime and addressing homelessness central themes of his campaign.
“This is a city that welcomed my immigrant parents to its shores, a city that has given my family so much, a city that I have committed my life to,” Buscaino said. “I believe in this city. I have much more to give to it, and I know we can do better.”
Buscaino represents the 15th District, including Watts, Wilmington and San Pedro. (If you’re wondering how all these communities fit into one district, it’s because the boundaries are shaped like a ladle… or maybe a walkie-talkie.)
Support for LAist comes from
City Attorney Mike Feuer is the only other elected official to launch a campaign to replace Garcetti so far, though Councilmembers Kevin de León and Mark Ridley-Thomas are considered likely to throw their hats in the ring. As candidates in last year’s city elections, they both declined to rule out leaving their council districts early for the mayor’s office.
Buscaino is currently a reserve officer in the Los Angeles Police Department, where he served as a full-time officer for 15 years. He was first elected to the City Council in 2012.
A police officer who has opposed city legislation to cut funding to the LAPD, Buscaino is at odds with civil rights activists’ calls to defund or drastically alter the city’s support of traditional law enforcement in favor of alternative community safety investments.
Buscaino also introduced a measure last year to reinstate enhanced cleanups -- referred to as “sweeps” by critics -- in “special enforcement zones” near A Bridge Home homeless shelters, which had been on pause during the pandemic. Homeless advocates called the practice disruptive and unsafe at a time the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was advising keeping people in place.
Buscaino argued the growing encampments were public health hazards, and the city had to fulfill its promises to neighborhoods that welcomed new shelters with the assurance they would be accompanied by services and cleaning.
“I'm tired of simply managing this issue -- I want to solve homelessness in my district and throughout the city,” Buscaino told KPCC’s Take Two last year.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist