As the first woman of color appointed to Chair Public Safety Committee, Councilwoman Rodriguez oversees nearly two-thirds of the City’s budget and works closely with police and fire departments to keep our city safe. In this role, Councilwoman Rodriguez created an innovative approach to shut-down illegal cannabis operations with utility cut offs, reformed emergency response and evacuation protocols to better protect families from wildfires, and expanded the Community Safety Partnership, an effort that increases the number of officers assigned to serve the San Fernando Valley with an emphasis in building more constructive relationships between the public and police. This work earned her appointment to serve as Chair of Public Safety for the National League of Cities.
She protected neighborhoods with the creation of the “Good Neighbor Policy” in response to a problematic homeless shelter, this policy standardized safety and security protocols for homeless shelter operations in the city and expanded efforts by establishing the City’s first Safe Parking site for RVs. Responding to the untenable numbers of homeless youth and families, Councilwoman Rodriguez launched the first of its kind “Navigation Hub,” co-locating LAUSD social workers with homeless services accelerating the process of getting unhoused families off the street and onto a better life.
Councilwoman Rodriguez’ work reflects her commitment to close economic inequities for women and minority communities. In 2015, as Founding President of Latinas Lead California, she led the creation of a statewide network that supports Latinas seeking public office. As Commissioner on the Board of Public Works, she reformed the city’s procurement and business practices, work she continues to champion today. She created the Small Business Academy and overhauled LABAVN (Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network) creating competitive access, resulting in increased contracts awarded to women and minority owned businesses. As an executive at the California Association of Realtors, she led the statewide affordable housing trust fund, delivering workforce housing and established the Mortgage Protection Program that protected families from foreclosure during the recession. During her tenure at LA Unified, she co-founded the highly acclaimed F.I.R.E. Academy, an afterschool program launched in collaboration with LAFD and Los Angeles Community College District.
Councilwoman Rodriguez is a graduate of local public schools, a proud San Fernando High School Tiger and received her B.A. from Occidental College. She and her husband Raul reside in Mission Hills with their two children and their beloved dog Hercules.
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