Photo by Jesus Sanchez
• L.A. City Council District 1 (map) includes all or part of Angeleno Heights, Cypress Park, Echo Park, Glassell Park, Lincoln Heights, MacArthur Park, Montecito Heights, Mount Washington, Solano Canyon and other neighborhoods Find out if you live in the district.
Public safety is a multifaceted issue, and one of the most debated components is the size of the Los Angeles Police Department, and its budget.
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The LAPD currently has 8,665 sworn officers, down from a peak of approximately 10,000. Mayor Karen Bass said she intends to bring the ranks back up to 9,500 officers.
Given the topic’s importance to voters, we asked the candidates: Do you support the mayor’s aim to add officers?
Most candidates support the mayor’s goal, though not as a standalone solution. They generally tied increased staffing to faster response times, broader neighborhood coverage and a greater sense of safety, while also stressing accountability and training. Several also said police staffing should be paired with investments in prevention, youth programs or mental health services. One candidate took a different view, arguing that expanding the force would not by itself make residents safer, and that the city should instead emphasize fire service, infrastructure and violence prevention.
Here are their full responses:
Lou Calanche
Public safety requires effective policing, but the minimum requirement is community trust and the time and commitment to build it. I support ensuring the LAPD has the staffing needed to respond to emergencies while prioritizing accountability and transparency. As a former Police Commissioner, I believe we must also invest in prevention, youth programs, and community partnerships that address the root causes of crime.
Raul Claros
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Yes. I support increasing LAPD staffing to restore effective coverage across neighborhoods. Fewer officers mean slower response times and less proactive policing, which hurts communities the most. Rebuilding the force must focus on smart deployment, strong training, and accountability, while also expanding civilian and mental health response teams so officers can focus on core public safety work. Public safety works best when residents feel protected, seen, and respected.
Nelson Grande
Yes, we need more sworn Los Angeles Police Department officers so response times improve and neighborhoods feel safer. But staffing alone is not the plan. We also have to rebuild trust through accountability, strong oversight, and better day-to-day engagement in our communities. People in Los Angeles City Council District 1 want safety and fairness, not excuses. I support adding officers, with higher standards at the same time.
Eunisses Hernandez
Los Angeles already spends 45% of our General Fund on LAPD, yet many residents still do not feel safe. I do not believe simply adding officers will fix that. Public safety also means a fully funded LAFD, working streetlights, safe infrastructure, unarmed crisis response teams, community violence intervention, graffiti removal, and gang prevention programs. We must invest in strategies that prevent harm before it happens and create real, lasting safety.
Sylvia Robledo
Yes. I support the mayor’s goal of increasing LAPD staffing to ensure timely response times and safer neighborhoods. Our officers are stretched thin, which impacts public safety and morale. Any growth must be paired with strong recruitment, retention, and training, along with accountability and community trust. A properly staffed department allows officers to focus on serious crime, proactive policing, and building relationships—while complementing, not replacing, prevention and community-based safety strategies.
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