Blacks, Latinos Express Sense of Isolation : Minorities: Many in South-Central and Pico-Union areas believe political leaders care little or nothing about them, survey finds. Lawmakers are not surprised.

Most blacks and Latinos in the South-Central and Pico-Union districts think Los Angeles’ political leadership cares little about neighborhood problems and has done little to ease racial conflict, according to a survey released Wednesday.

When 305 blacks and 301 Latinos in the two districts were asked, “How much do you feel Los Angeles’ government and political leaders care about the problems of your neighborhood?” 82% chose the answers “only a little” or “not at all.” The answer “a great deal” was selected by 11%.

Asked about Latino political leaders, the Latinos surveyed gave them only slightly less negative marks, saying 71% of them care little or not at all. The blacks did much the same for black political leaders, saying 63% of them cared little or not at all.

When black and Latino residents were asked, “Would you say that the government and political leaders in Los Angeles have done a great deal to diffuse (sic) racial conflict?” 85% said “only a little” or “nothing at all.” The answer “a great deal” was picked by 9%.

Black and Latino City Council members and their representatives expressed little surprise at the survey results in the districts they represent.

“I think if I was out of a job, living in crowded conditions . . . without grocery stores and supermarkets . . . I’d probably say the same thing,” said Rita Walters, a black council member whose 9th District encompasses part of the South-Central area.

“I think part of the challenge is to turn that around,” she said. “It’s my goal to do everything I can to improve it.”

Morrie Goldman, a spokesman for Latino Councilman Mike Hernandez, whose 1st District includes the Pico-Union area, said the criticisms of those surveyed “should not be interpreted as a rejection of our efforts.” “The problems were created before we came there,” he said. “We’re going in and fixing what City Hall had created over the years.”

Mayor Tom Bradley, who apparently had not seen the survey, declined to comment on it.

Bendixen & Associates, the firm commissioned by KVEA-TV Channel 52 and the newspaper La Opinion to conduct the survey between April 22 and 25, said many of the people questioned felt that they had long been ignored by the city’s leaders, according to Claudia Santa Cruz, a spokeswoman for the television station.

“They wanted to keep on talking,” Santa Cruz said. “They were happy that someone was finally listening to their views.”

Asked if they wanted to continue living in Los Angeles, 62% said they would prefer to leave, while 36% said they would stay. Also, 62% thought federal and local recovery and reconstruction efforts since the riots have been “mediocre” or “poor,” while 32% rated these efforts “excellent” or “good.”

Somewhat surprisingly, given the vocal criticism of police in many minority neighborhoods, 54% of the blacks and 64% of the Latinos surveyed said they had a positive opinion of the Los Angeles Police Department; 32% of the blacks and 25% of the Latinos expressing negative views.

Among blacks with negative opinions about the LAPD, 52% said it was because police harass them and are racist and 33% said it was because police do not reduce crime. Slow police response was given as the reason by 7%, and 5% said it was because police do not care about the community.

Among Latinos with negative opinions about police, 28% blamed harassment and racism, 31% the failure to reduce crime, 26% slow response and 14% a lack of caring.

Police Chief Willie L. Williams was popular with both groups, with 68% of blacks and 67% of Latinos giving him a favorable rating. Former Chief Daryl F. Gates was unpopular with both groups, with 84% of blacks and 55% of the Latinos giving him an unfavorable rating.

Asked whether they fear black people because most of the crime in their neighborhoods is caused by blacks, 51% of the Latinos said yes and 44% said no. Asked if Latinos are taking away jobs and housing that blacks fought for during the civil rights struggle, 48% of blacks said yes and 44% said no.

Asked whether they were more comfortable doing business with Asians or blacks, 43% of the Latinos picked Asians, 12% chose blacks and 31% said it made no difference. Asked whether they preferred doing business with Asians or Latinos, 6% of the blacks chose Asians, 42% chose Latinos and 50% said it made no difference.