Hahn Makes Police Panel Pick

In a move that could prop up an important political base, Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn on Thursday appointed San Fernando Valley activist Corina Alarcon to the Police Commission, giving the five-person panel a second member from the Valley.

Hahn won the Valley vote in the 2001 mayoral election but his relationship with voters north of Mulholland Drive has been strained since he led the successful campaign to defeat a Valley secession initiative in 2002.

Inadequate policing in the Valley was cited by secessionists as one reason they wanted to split from Los Angeles.

“It’s an indication to me that he is mending some fences as he gets ready to face some challengers from the Valley,” said Larry Berg, a Valley resident who is a retired director of the Jesse Unruh Institute of Politics at USC.

State Sen. Richard Alarcon, a Democrat from Sun Valley, has announced his intention to run for mayor in March 2005.

A second Valley resident, former Assembly Speaker Robert Hertzberg, is also weighing a mayoral run, and may announce his decision next week.

Corina Alarcon and Richard Alarcon divorced in 2000.

Several City Hall observers and pundits found it amusing that Hahn would appoint the ex-wife of a political rival to the powerful Police Commission.

“I suppose there is a little mischievous side to the mayor that we didn’t know about,” Berg said.

Hahn said he liked Corina Alarcon’s “considerable experience” at City Hall, where she is president of the Fire Commission and a former member of the Building and Safety Commission.

Corina Alarcon, 46, is president of Women Advancing the Valley Through Education, Economics and Empowerment, which operates a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

The Sylmar resident said she planned to fight for Valley police services if the council confirms her appointment in the coming weeks.

The Police Commission oversees the Los Angeles Police Department.

“Being born and raised in the Valley, I am very interested in making sure we continue to get the services we deserve,” Corina Alarcon said.

If confirmed, Corina Alarcon would join a Police Commission that includes attorney Alan Skobin, a West Valley resident.

The last time the Police Commission had two Valley residents was 2001, when car dealer Bert Boeckmann and attorney Raquelle de la Rocha were on the panel.

Both had been appointed by former Mayor Richard Riordan.