Mayor Touts His Successes on 2-Year Anniversary

On the eve of his two-year anniversary as Los Angeles’ top executive, Mayor Richard Riordan gave himself glowing marks Friday for expanding the police force, improving the city’s business climate and making government more efficient.

“At this midway point, I am very proud of my record as mayor and of the success we have achieved together as a city,” Riordan said in a five-page statement released late Friday afternoon. The statement includes an extensive list of accomplishments.

Riordan took office in 1993 after a tumultuous campaign in which his slogan was a promise to “Turn L.A. Around.”

Most council members were gone for the long Fourth of July weekend when the statement was released and could not be reached for comment. But some who represent the inner city say the mayor has failed to work closely with the city’s African American community.

Among his list of accomplishments, Riordan cites his efforts to expand the understaffed Police Department, in part through federal grants, such as the $18.3-million awarded to Los Angeles this week from the federal crime bill.

Riordan also has headed a public-private partnership to raise funds to improve technology for the department. So far, the Mayor’s Alliance for a Safer Los Angeles has raised more than $13 million.

In addition, Riordan touted his efforts to develop a Community Development Bank and the creation of business assistance programs such as the Minority Business Opportunity Committee.

He also formed a task force to recommend reforms to streamline the city’s building permit process. The plan, however, has been criticized by some homeowner groups for failing to include their ideas.