Since taking office, Councilwoman Rodriguez has been committed to making the Seventh Council District a healthier and safer community. Some of the projects she has implemented have focused on safer wildfire evacuation protocols, new tools to help victims of domestic violence safely access help and advocating for environmental justice for those living near the Whiteman airport.
Safer and Healthier Communities
Fireworks Buyback Program
In response to community concerns, Councilwoman Rodriguez piloted, in her district, the City’s first fireworks buyback program with support of LAPD and LAFD. The event held at Brand Park in Mission Hills resulted in over a quarter ton of fireworks being voluntarily collected and removed from the streets. The program tested a new tool in the citywide effort to combat the use of illegal fireworks. It’s inaugural success shows promise for a larger city-wide effort that can return peace to neighborhoods and enhance public safety for residents.
Community Safety Partnership
Councilwoman Rodriguez implemented the City’s first Community Safety Partnership (CSP) community policing at San Fernando Gardens. Ten officers are assigned to foot patrol in the complex, getting the officers out of their patrol cars to build stronger ties with the community. The CSP bureau’s goal is to create safer neighborhoods by strengthening the trust and respect between communities and the law enforcement officers serving in that community.
Wildfire Protections
- Secured $1.5 million grant for wildfire debris cleanup in areas impacted by the La Tuna and Creek fires. The grant provided 70 jobs prioritizing veterans, those impacted by the fire and those with long-term unemployment. Crews cleared 40 yard roll out bins of debris and 25 miles of trails damaged by the fires.
- Allocated funding for a new fire station in Sylmar and restored engine services at Station 75 in Mission Hills by adding twelve new positions.
- Adopted legislation that directed LAFD and the Emergency Management Department (EMD) to create a plan to safely battle and evacuate for wildfires during the pandemic.
- Hosted Emergency Preparedness webinar series that covered Emergency Preparedness, Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation Planning.
- Worked with City Departments to create a city-wide process for the evacuation of horses and large animals during emergencies such as wildfires.
Improved Safety for Angelenos
- Launched pilot program with City partners to place mental health vans with specially trained teams at Fire Stations to transform the way calls for mental health are handled.
- Directed LAPD and the LA City Attorney to create a discrete system for domestic violence victims to seek help at essential businesses during Safer at Home.
- Actively worked with multiple City Departments to increase safety in equestrian neighborhoods by increasing street lighting and creating a contiguous bridle path.
- Introduced legislation in August of 2021 in response to an increase in illegal street racing and street takeovers throughout the City calling for the use of street design elements that make it difficult to conduct these types of dangerous events.
Environmental Justice
Whiteman Airport
In December of 2020 upon approach for landing, an aircraft crashed in a residential neighborhood. Since 2009, the National Transportation Safety Board’s database shows there have been fifteen aviation accidents related to Whiteman Airport. In addition, the airport poses environmental risks to the surrounding community. According to a 2007 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report, the takeoff and landings per day produce large quantities of toxic pollutants, such as lead, benzene, acrolein, 1, 3-butadiene, and formaldehyde. These public safety and environmental risks require serious analysis and public disclosure.
The Councilwoman is calling for the closure of the airport and has been leading the effort to make this a reality. Closing the airport can help bring additional amenities to an area that has borne the burden of environmental impacts and lacks open space, quality jobs and housing.
Methane Gas Leak at Valley Generation Station
In response to a methane gas leak that had been leaking for more than one-year without notice to area residents, Councilwoman Rodriguez introduced legislation instructing the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to provide immediate relief to residents near the Valley Generation Station in Sun Valley. The legislation also called for LADWP to create a trust fund to benefit residents impacted by the harmful emissions, install and develop and fund a plan to install air quality monitors within a one-mile radius of the facility.
