Street-Corner Skeptics Say the Mayor ‘Could Do More’

On Friday morning, as Mayor Tom Bradley announced his plans to form a task force to resurrect impoverished and crime-scarred portions of South-Central Los Angeles, Arthur Edwards, a resident of the neighborhood that had caught the mayor’s attention, stood a few feet away and outlined some plans of his own.

“I got some cans over there,” he said, gesturing toward a trash heap behind the crowd of people who had gathered around Bradley as he spoke in an empty lot at 45th Street and Central Avenue. “I’m hustling up some money for breakfast and I. . . . “

Before he could finish, a sharp “Shhh!” from two men trying to listen to the mayor interrupted Edwards’ remark.

“Forget them,” continued the 38-year-old man. “That’s the problem with Bradley: He’s helping out the people with the educations and the suits real well. As far as poor blacks and Latinos are concerned, I haven’t seen nothing that he’s doing for them.”

Many who live and work along the blocks nearby said Friday that they share Edwards’ views. Although some South-Central residents did greet the mayor’s speech enthusiastically, interviews with nearly 20 residents shortly after the presentation indicated a hefty amount of skepticism.

“The way they’re rebuilding downtown, we need more of that down here,” said Arthur Collins, 37, as he stood along Central Avenue. “The city should spend more money in the ghettos. This is just as important and the people need it just as much. Look at how we’re living down here. Bradley could do more, but he isn’t. We don’t need task forces, we need to find jobs down here.”

Standing farther up Central Avenue, 38-year-old Lilly Margaret called Bradley’s task force “a hoax.” “He hasn’t sold us out,” she said. “I don’t think he ever sold in. He’s a businessman, and he’s more worried about business and the business people.”

‘Doing a . . . Good Job’

Not everyone was critical.

“Bradley is doing a . . . good job,” said Frank Collins, a 73-year-old man who lives on 43rd Street. “They should bring the Marines into this sucker. I don’t think he’s doing good, I know he is. He’s trying to help everybody, but he can’t help everybody at the same time.”

George Gladney, 70, who lives in Watts, agreed.

“His words are good,” Gladney said. “He got a senior citizens home for us in Watts. I think he’s doing great, especially what he’s doing now. He could’ve (formed the task force) sooner, but he’s busy. He does these things when he can.”

Mixed Feelings

Jean Smart, 47, echoed the views of a number of people in the area who--even in this, Bradley’s fifth term--still have mixed feelings about the mayor’s performance.

“I don’t have anything against him personally,” Smart said. “He’s in a position to help, and it’s not too late. This program could do something to clean up the area, but Bradley should do more.”