A central priority for the City of Los Angeles, Mayor Villaraigosa has set the course on a public safety strategy that is transforming our City into a world-class model for crime suppression and prevention, emergency preparedness and homeland security.
Making a historic investment in expanding the LAPD and undertaking a new approach to gang reduction and youth development, the Mayor’s public safety strategy recognizes that a safe city is the foundation of a successful city.
“When you don’t have safe streets, everything falls apart. People become isolated. Kids turn into prisoners. Jobs evaporate. Families struggle just to survive. Public safety is the foundation of everything we are trying to build in the City of the Angeles.”
- Mayor Villaraigosa, State of the City 2008
Click to learn more about the Mayor's plans for the second term.
In 2005, when Mayor Villaraigosa took office, Los Angeles was the most under policed big city in the nation: with a police force of approximately 9,100 officers patrolling a city with approximately 4 million residents.
Since unveiling the City’s police build up, Los Angeles has seen the citywide crime rate decreased to historical levels not seen in over half a decade and the largest police force deployment in the city’s history.
Producing sweeping reforms in how the City works to reduce gang violence, Mayor Villaraigosa’s reorganization of the delivery of gang reduction and youth services has provided clear lines of oversight, accountability and performance measure.
The new consolidated approach targets gang reduction services in the City’s most violent neighborhoods by providing date driven resources that invest in gang-involved youth and their families.
The brave men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department continue to be one of the best-trained and highly equipped departments in the country.
Under the leadership of Chief Douglas Barry, the department has ushered in a new era of professionalism, excellence in service and accountability.
The Mayor established the Emergency Management Department to enhance coordination of local emergency preparations, response and recovery operations.
Due to the Department's efforts, the City is able to respond to rapidly to all the needs of residents in the event of a local emergency.