The Next L.A. / Reinventing Our Future : Governing : IDEA FILE: Grassroots government

How it works: Give neighborhoods more power over government while preserving the present regional bodies, which worked well during the earthquake. Set up neighborhood councils with power over local planning, policing and other functions.

Benefits: Southland residents feel a strong connection to their communities. But by their very nature, big decisions in the huge basin on such important matters as transportation and air pollution are made by distant, powerful regional bodies. Neighborhood councils would restore people’s power over the decisions that really matter to them--policing, libraries, parks, senior centers, whether a mall will be built nearby. It would put people in control of the services they value most, and pay for. This, for example, is what community policing is about.

Short-term or long-term impact? Long-term.

Supporters: Grassroots and neighborhood groups have been pushing for this for years.

Opponents: Those opposed can argue that it would fragment government and encourage rampant NIMBYism. Politicians don’t want to give up power, and business interests such as developers woul be reluctant to lose their “in” in city halls.

Costs: There would be little additional cost.

“REALITY CHECK”: It’s a good idea, growing in acceptance around the country and locally. An 8 out of 10.