Nelson Grande

Arts / Culture Families also need community, not just services. I will bring more neighborhood events to Council District 1: park movie nights, youth sports clinics, clean-up days, resource fairs, cultural events, and local business pop-ups that give kids something positive to do and give families a reason to gather. Economy I am committed to this cohort, the crew members, crafts, coordinators, drivers, small vendors, and independent workers who keep this city running and too often get treated like an afterthought. I support the citywide effort to keep production here, including the #StayinLA movement, because this is about protecting paychecks and keeping working families rooted in Los Angeles. I want Los Angeles competing to win production, not watching it walk away. Housing My approach is simple: housing, treatment, and accountability, working together. We will prioritize real exits from the street into interim housing and permanent housing, with case management that follows through, not just paperwork. Education I will focus on what the City can directly deliver: safer crossings and better lighting near schools, clean and well-maintained parks and recreation centers, and public spaces that feel welcoming for families. We will work with schools, parent groups, and trusted community organizations to expand after-school programs, sports, arts, and mentorship that keep kids engaged and supported. Criminal Justice / Public Safety I’m pragmatic and progressive. I believe enforcement and accountability can coexist with prevention, services, and dignity. When there is violence, threats, repeat theft, or illegal behavior that puts others at risk, the City must respond. Enforcement should be focused, professional, and accountable, with de-escalation as the default and outcomes that can be measured. Immigration I will pursue local policy that penalizes landlords, employers, and bad actors who use immigration threats to force people out of housing, steal wages, or silence victims. No loopholes. No shrugging. Housing We also need a fair, balanced system for renters and small property owners. Renters deserve safe units, stable leases, and clear protections. And mom-and-pop landlords who live in the neighborhood should not be treated like large corporate landlords. They deserve a fair process when there is serious damage, illegal activity, or repeated violations. Immigration When Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations occur, people need accurate information and safe options, not panic. I will work with vetted partners to support lawful community alert and resource systems that help residents protect themselves and their families without putting anyone in danger. Economy Small businesses are the engine of Council District 1, and City Hall has been treating them like an afterthought. CD 1 Open for Business is my commitment to make it easier to open, operate, and grow a business here, while keeping our commercial corridors clean, safe, and active. That includes the storefronts we all know, and the new era of local digital business owners who run online shops, creative studios, content businesses, consulting, and services from right here in the neighborhood. Immigration I oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics that destabilize neighborhoods and drive people into the shadows. I also believe there must be real consequences for anyone who uses immigration threats to extort, retaliate, discriminate, or harass. Economy Push reforms that make permitting simpler, faster, and more affordable, while maintaining reasonable standards for neighborhoods. Economy My plan starts with speed and simplicity: a one-stop small business help desk in the Council office, a clear permit roadmap, and weekly escalation with City departments to unblock the projects that get stuck. We will push for faster approvals for storefront improvements, outdoor dining, signage, and tenant buildouts, and we will publish basic performance metrics so the system stops hiding behind excuses. Infrastructure / Transportation Safety also means clean streets, working lights, graffiti removal, and rapid fixes to repeat hot spots, with City departments working as one team instead of passing problems around. Drug Policy Prevention and intervention are non-negotiable. I support humane treatment and a recovery-first approach for people struggling with addiction and mental health crises, but I do not support needle exchange programs or policies that normalize drug use in public spaces. Housing We also have to protect the public realm. Encampments that block sidewalks, create fire hazards, impact schools, or bring violence and drug activity into neighborhoods cannot be treated as untouchable. The City must coordinate outreach, sanitation, and enforcement so there is a clear path indoors, and clear standards for public spaces. Housing We need more housing in Council District 1, and we need more of the right kind: homes people can actually afford, built faster, built well, and built in the right places. The City’s slow, unpredictable process drives up costs and blocks projects that should be straightforward. I will support responsible development and make it easier to deliver quality housing that serves the community. Immigration Families should be able to go to school, the doctor, and report wrongdoing without fear. I will strengthen “Know Your Rights” outreach and connect residents to trusted legal support quickly and safely. Immigration In Council District 1, families are being shaken down by fear, not just by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, but by people who weaponize Immigration and Customs Enforcement threats to harm others. Landlords use it to pressure tenants out. Employers use it to dodge wages or silence workers. Strangers shout it in the street to intimidate neighbors. Healthcare For people in crisis, we need faster access to mental health care, detox, and treatment, and recovery-first pathways that are humane and structured. Compassion means meeting people where they are, then helping them move forward into stability. Housing That means speeding up approvals for affordable housing and mixed-income projects, cutting unnecessary red tape, and holding projects to clear standards on safety, design, and real community benefit. When developers commit to local hiring, good design, and affordability, the City should not drag its feet. When projects are poorly planned or don’t deliver what was promised, there should be consequences. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Every family deserves to feel safe at home, at school, and at work. Safety is a right, not a privilege. Residents should not be forced to accept dangerous behavior as “normal,” and our parks, sidewalks, libraries, schools, and business corridors should be usable for families, seniors, and kids every day.