PLATFORM : A Squeaky Wheel

People are much more hesitant to violate the law if they know they are going to be pursued. And that pursuit has come from local residents and our crime watch , not the city. We’ve helped closed down drug houses, and the crime rate has been reduced.

We’ve convinced some slumlords to sell the property to single families. We have forced owners to take action when they have problem tenants. We also got some of our streets repaved this year.

We’ve been effective because we’ve been persistent. . . . We’ve been loud, we’ve been rude and we’ve been threatening. With people on a one-to-one basis, we know we can get more done by being nice--initially. But as the time span lengthens, we become louder. The “squeaky wheel” syndrome works like a charm in the city of Los Angeles.

Members of neighborhood groups have a stake and feel they can make a difference. That empowerment leads to community empowerment. That’s where the quality of life begins.