Take the Money and Run With It : Don’t refuse this much-needed $19-million federal grant
In the aftermath of the riots, President Bush promised federal “weed and seed” funds for L.A. law enforcement and social programs. The money, $19 million, arrived last month--but not without a controversy that could threaten every penny. That controversy is unnecessary and self-defeating. Los Angeles needs the money badly.
Only $1 million of the grant is earmarked for weeding--law enforcement efforts in South-Central Los Angeles and Pico-Union, the designated neighborhoods. But because the funds are linked, any rejection by the city of weed monies could threaten the whole $19 million.
City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas and Councilwoman Rita Walters, who represent much of the affected area, have a strong concern about how the law enforcement money will be used, and they insist on community input. The concern is grounded in history--here and nationally. Tensions between the LAPD and minority communities have bred mistrust. And weed and seed originated in the Justice Department in Washington as a law enforcement strategy that emphasized massive, heavy-handed police sweeps in other cities. The two council members also object to linking the funds for social programs with the funds for law enforcement.
Their concern notwithstanding, certainly there must be room for compromise. New Police Chief Willie L. Williams is a delightful far cry from his contentious predecessor. He proved it Tuesday when he went to Pacoima to meet with gang members and community leaders about a young Latino man killed by nine police bullets in a confrontation with officers. Also, Williams had experience with the federal weed and seed program in Philadelphia before moving to Los Angeles. He can be trusted to be true to his style of policing--community-sensitive.
Mayor Tom Bradley is expected to meet on Friday with Ridley-Thomas, Walters and the chief. Somehow, they must come to an understanding that allows the strapped city budget to use these 19 million federal dollars to help people who live in neighborhoods hurt by the riots.
