Like a rock star — mayor visits LCS
LCS STUDENTS SURROUND Mayor Karen Bass after she spoke to them about homelessness. Photo by Dave DuMonde
Following up on her Inside Safe program
Mayor Karen Bass received a rock star reception from more than 900 students ages 9 to 14 and staff at Larchmont Charter School’s Selma campus, 6611 Selma Ave., on June 4.
“I’ve never been greeted like this before,” she said with a beaming smile.
She visited the campus to talk about her Inside Safe program and homelessness in Los Angeles. The Inside Safe program cleared an expansive encampment adjoining the school in August 2023. The encampment plagued the school for many years, making the sidewalks impassable and the area unsafe.
Mayor Bass thanked the community for letting her know about the unfortunate situation. “Los Angeles is a big city, and it’s impossible to know what’s happening on every street, so thank you for all of your calls and emails.”
Students were preselected to ask the mayor questions about homelessness. One question focused on how much the city spends on this problem each year. Bass answered, “$180 million, which sounds like a lot, but we need more.”
She continued and told the audience about a new ballot measure [United to House LA] “that I hope your parents will vote for” in November to allot more money for affordable housing production and to help prevent homelessness.
Another student asked if she hopes to have all homeless people housed by 2040. She responded by saying “2040 is too late to house everyone.” She wants the city clear of tents and homelessness by 2028, because the Olympics are coming. She noted that Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country, and she wants it to look good.
LARCHMONT CHARTER students on the Selma campus shake hands with Mayor Karen Bass. Photo by Dave DuMonde
Bass was a natural when talking to the students, peppering her answers with examples to which the students could relate. When asked about the programs currently in place, she compared them to a science experiment. The city has never had to deal with such a big crisis, and she’s trying everything she can to make programs work. But, she admitted, sometimes they work, and other times they don’t, just like a science experiment.
She also told the young onlookers about a new program being implemented to locate renters being evicted through the county court system and to help them before they lose their homes.
She was positive throughout the session and said, “You are the generation that’s going to lead. You always have to fight for change. Do more than my generation.”
Category: News