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Human Relations Commission

Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 11, 2002
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The Human Relations Commission of the City of Los Angeles met for its regular meeting on Thursday, April 11 2002 at 9:05 a.m., Personnel Building; 700 E. Temple Street. Room #350; Los Angeles, CA 90012.

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 11, 2002 COMMISSION MEETING

M/S/C- Steinberg - Houston-Unanimous- That the Minutes of the Commission Meeting are approved with any noted corrections to be made.

2. PRESIDENT'S REPORT

President Pérez introduced the Commission and gave a brief history of its creation. Commission was originally founded immediately after the Watts Riots in 1966 to deal with issues underpinning inter-group relations. President Perez stated that there was a set of preconditions that allowed the 1992 Civil Unrest to occur. Ten years later the Commission is now taking the opportunity to hear from civic and community leaders about progress that has been made and to highlight issues that still must be addressed.

3. COMMUNITY TESTIMONY AND COMMUNITY COMMENT

President Pérez introduced Deputy Chief John Callahan from the LA City Fire Department. Chief Callahan has been with the department for 31 years and serves as commander of operations and Chair of the Emergency Preparedness Commission for both Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City.

Chief Callahan commended the Commission for its work in the community and providing concerned leaders the opportunity to share insight related to this issue. He explained how the events of 1992 impacted the work of firefighters responding to approximately 10,000 emergency calls of which 3,500 were medical related. 650 buildings were totally destroyed and 860 damaged. Many firefighters were injured and four shot, one being Firefighter Scott Miller who was seriously shot in the neck by a passing motorist. Chief Callahan displayed a poster of photos capturing fires, destruction and pain of the people during that time. Scott has returned to full duty and is now serving as Captain of the fire prevention section.

Following the Unrest, the Fire Department took a look at its relationship with the community and found that residents perceived the fire department as being neutral. To counter this perception and to enhance their ability to serve, the Department launched a two pronged approach aimed at expanding external services and improving employee human relations.

Neighborhood initiatives begun since the 1992 Unrest include:

	Community-based Fire Protection Program - a local fire station initiative to improve the quality of life by reducing fires and injury in a specific geographical area. Former President Bill Clinton recognized Fire Station 68 as a Promising Practice for its community involvement and programs.
	Safe House Program - Fire stations are designated at temporary sanctuaries for children in the event of trouble.
	Days of Dialogue Program - Community discussion on issues concerning diverse populations.
	Security Bar & Fire Home Safety Program -Town Hall meetings held for local residents on security bar and other fire safety practices in the home.
	S.A.F.E. (Stop Adolescent Fire Setters through Education) -Assessment of young fire setters' motivation, level of risk and level of treatment.
	Neighborhood Preparedness Program -LAFD has taken a lead roll in providing vital information, training and services to citizens of Los Angeles.

Captain Callahan reported that LAFD has also improved internal human relations. It's Customer Service Philosophy dictates that each officer has an obligation to provide the best service possible to the residents of Los Angeles. Effective human relations and diversity training is provided at all levels of the Department. Furthermore through its Fire Explorer Scout Program the Department makes an effort to ensure that recruitment reflects the members of the community it serves.

Commissioner Steinberg asked for current statistics on minorities in LAFD. Chief Callahan stated the Department's hiring practices have significantly improved since the 1974 federal Consent Decree. At that time, the force consisted of fewer than 5% African-American and Hispanic firefighters; and no Asians or women. LAFD's workforce has reached 50% minority and women and the Consent Decree was recently lifted. He stated that the department however continues to struggle with women recruitment. There are currently approximately 100 women on the force. He also indicated that the Department is also addressing the issue of upward mobility for all current firefighters through its Human Relations Development Committee.

Commissioner Al-Marayati asked for more information on the inter-group discussions and on how to improve race relations in the City. The LAFD determined that it must interact more with the community, and not just focus on routine emergency response. Chief Callahan mentioned that other city departments should open their doors to the community as a model to initiate inclusiveness. President Perez thanked the Chief for his time and participation.

President Perez introduced Najeeba Syeed-Miller as Executive Director of the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center.

Ms. Syeed-Miller shared remarks about the role of the Center in the aftermath of 1992 Civil Unrest. The center was able to solve a variety of inter ethnic cases following the Unrest. It was at that time, the Center created many collaborative relationships amongst community leaders with special focus on African-Americans and Asians. Ms. Syeed-Miller reported that there has been a shift of population within the City of Los Angeles. Koreatown has show significant increases in the Bangladeshian and Latino population, while the landlords have remained primarily Korean. The Center has determined that housing will become a bigger issue in the near future in addition to the lack of communication between landlords and tenants. Ms. Syeed-Miller encouraged a continued working relationship with the Commission.

Commissioner Steinberg asked if work had increased for the Center due to the tragedy of 9/11. Ms. Syeed-Miller stated that the Center has been inundated with training mediators for inter-ethic conflict. The center has also developed a very comprehensive cross training model different from traditional mediation.

Commissioner AlMarayati asked about the Center's for different paradigms in each community across Los Angeles that applies to cross cultural mediation. The Center attempts to educate communities about what constitutes community difference in cultures for a better understanding across the City. They found that learning body language and what respect means can help people have safe encounters with one another.

President Perez introduced Eric Boyd as Executive Director, Days of Dialogue and facilitator of the Human Relations Commission Dialogue series. Mr. Boyd asked Dylan Kendall, Founder of The Open Museum, to join him for the presentation to the Commission.

Ms. Kendall explained that the open museum concept has a two part programming agenda, which focuses on community/museum relationships. The first part of the agenda looks at generating curatorial ideas within the museum and then inviting the community to participate. The second part of the agenda looks at bringing the community to the museum and the museum assisting and helping the community prepare exhibits. Ms. Kendall stated that the museum is currently displaying exhibits at four sites across Los Angeles. The sites are the Skirball Cultural Center on the Westside; Council District 8 Constituent Services Center; Lucy Florence Café in Lemert Park and the Korean Town Gallereria. Each site will include ten exhibit items that were from people impacted by the Civil Unrest in 1992.

President Perez questioned Mr. Boyd regarding feedback from previous dialogue discussion with community members. He also asked what patterns of unresolved issues have been observed that the Commission needs to focus more attention to in order to decrease the likelihood of another riot? Mr. Boyd responded that people are so wrapped up in their own personal beliefs and experiences of what actually happened 10 years ago, that it can be very difficult to accept, respect and react to someone else experience. The primary assignment should be for people to listen, understand what they've heard and accept it to be o.k. for that person. The approach of this collaboration with The Open Museum is creating an understanding that powerful life stories shared are an excellent way to bridge the gap between people of different cultures.

President Perez welcomed former Executive Director of the Human Relations Commission Joe Hicks and currently Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Popular Culture.

Mr. Hicks began his presentation by discussing the positive things that have happened in Los Angeles since the 1992 Civil Unrest: improved African-American/Korean relations; reduction in acts of anti-Semitism; increased diversity among police officers and positive community relations. There has also been some economic development in the affected areas and few reported instances of hate crime.

Mr. Hicks confined the rest of his presentation to two areas. First he discussed some of the challenges that governmental-based agencies face. Second, he concluded with discussion of political, social and culture issues that human relation commissions as a genre seemed to participate in that may not be a healthy approach.

Mr. Hicks stated that human relations agencies tend to struggle because they are held accountable by political agencies, which often compromises the kind of cutting edge frontline organizations that they would like to be. With a few exceptions, most commissions, such as this one, only have the power to advise, recommend and consult, but do not have the ability to directly influence and bring about policy issues that could have impact on human relations' work in the city. Human relations commissions historically have acted as an outgrowth of the old race relation organizations of the 50's and 60's. He suggested that human relations commissions, as well as other institutions such as the school district, would better serve the community if it put less emphasis on the ways we are all the same, rather than the ways that we are different.

Commissioner Al-Maratyati asked if other human relation commissions have independent status outside of government policy. Mr. Hicks responded that at this time there are only human relations commission's with political appointees who are part of a city government directed by a mayor and city council. He stated that it would be difficult to challenge upper government without paying penalty during future negotiations for budget funds. Mr. Hicks argues for a way to open dialogue in communities across Los Angeles so that it is most effective to the community and political leaders as a whole.

President Perez introduced Martha Figueroa as Director of Community Development Technology Center (CD-TECH).

Ms. Figueroa reported that CD-TECH's mission is to develop community assets by enhancing the ability and skills of people and community organizations. CD-TECH is a partner with the Los Angeles Community College District's Trade Tech Community College as a successor of the Rebuild LA Project. The center supports non-profit organizations by providing research services, such as, community analysis, mapping services and survey instruments that assist community groups with grant and proposal writings and launching of community initiative and strategic plans. Ms. Figueroa stated that the Center provides services in the following five areas:

	Research and Technical Assistance to support community non-profit organizations
	Workforce and Skill Training for low wage manufacturing worker
	Network Development and Support for inner-city manufacturers
	Community Economic Development degree program at Trade Tech
	Leadership and Community Development for inner-city youth and grass root leaders

Ms. Figueroa stated that a proposal is being developed with the Human Relations Commission to partner with CD-TECH to launch a program called Neighborhood Councils Capacity Building Initiative. Training will be provided to selected neighborhood councils in the areas of human relations, urban planning and multiculturalism.

She mentioned that CD-TECH has made little progress in terms of race relations, but look forward to additional resource system support and civic participation. The greatest challenge is to increase communication and cultural appreciation. CD-TECH primary focus is geared towards a positive future from community involvement.

Commissioner Al-Marayati asked how would CD-TECH rate the private sector in the last ten years of the Civil Unrest in dealing with economic disparities of our city. Ms. Figueroa stated that there has been a different tone set in the areas where the Civil Unrest had the most damage, but the areas have drawn new retailers who see profit and value in the communities where merchants would not go in previous times.

President Perez introduced David Abel as Director of the Metropolitan Forum Project and CEO of Abel, Inc. Mr. Abel is very active with issues involving fiscal reform and the need for new public schools.

Mr. Abel remarked about the fundamental challenges facing Los Angeles and its disparity of wealth, how that can be addressed and what the role of the Human Relations Commission could be. He began his remarks by reading quotes from Alvin Toppler that was written nine years ago. Toppler linked the 1992 Civil Unrest to the redistribution of economic and political power and "… that the upheaval…reflects a dangerous kind of racism and a new far more intractable kind of unemployment with implications that reaches beyond the United States."

Toppler further wrote that a third wave economy that relies on educated brain power and innovative creativity is replacing the second wave economy that relied heavily on unskilled labor. This is happening around the world in the United States, Europe and Japan. Thus the steel companies and tire factories are being replaced by the fields of pharmaceuticals, computer software, management consulting, etc. Mr. Abel urged the Commission to go beyond simply having conversations about the state of the economy and future prospects for young members of the community and to engage in serious challenges to the political infrastructure, to the educational system, to the business leaders about what needs to be done.

President Pérez called Bill Rosendahl, who is Vice President of Adelphia Cable Station, to address the Commission. President Perez mentioned that Mr. Rosendahl work efforts have addressed broad-based issues of civic engagement and transcends the geography of Los Angeles.

Mr. Rosendahl began by addressing the issue of gang involvement in Los Angeles. He reflected on the past ten years to mention that a sense of community is torn apart when a man or woman loses his/her freedom and goes to jail for drug use, abuse or sale. The latest statistics say that 12% of young black men end up in the prison system with as many as 1/3% of African-Americans going through the criminal justice system in their lifetime. Statistics also show that 50% of the jail population are there from some relationship to drugs. It is time for Los Angeles to take leadership and say that the war on drugs is out of control and if politicians don't speak out, the Human Relations Commission should address the problem as a health issue. Mr. Rosendahl voiced his opinion with reference to bringing LA together in today's society by first dealing with underlining issues such as drugs, affordable housing and reasonable paying jobs. He applauded the Mayor and City Council for considering 100 million dollars in funds to go towards housing and jobs.

Mr. Rosendahl also addressed the education issue. He feels that the best way to handle gang activity would be to provide after school programs between the hours of 3:00 - 5:00pm when most gang violence takes place. He expressed concern that previous funds have not gone, at large, towards arts, music, sports and extra curriculum activities that keep the kids having fun while going to school and use channeled energy appropriately.

In response to Commissioner Al-Marayati's concern that media does not responsively cover local and community issues. Mr. Rosendahl suggested that this Commission take that on locally and nationally among the lawmakers and Federal Communications Commission in Washington.

President Perez called Bong-Hwan Kim from the MultiCultural Collaborative to address the Commission. MCC was formed after the Unrest and is one of the few organizations to survive.

Mr. Kim suggested that in general most organizations founded in the time of crisis don't survive, sometime due to failed leadership at the top. MCC'ss primary focus today is to build quality relationships across traditional boundaries of segregation by education, leadership training and communication. He noted that the demographics of the affected areas, as well as the rest of California are changing, where Whites are now the numerical minority.

In response to Commissioner Al-Marayati's question regarding systemic inequities Mr. Kim indicated that the way to tackle that issue was not through traditional institutions or elected officials, but by giving the community the skills to hold the people in power accountable. This is done through leadership and civic capacity building training.

Due to time constraints, President Perez invited Bong Hwan Kim back for a more focused discussion on the work of the MultiCultural Collaborative.

President Perez introduced the last guest speaker, Deputy Chief Margaret York of the LAPD Central Division.

Deputy Chief York highlighted the Department's improvements in its community policing since the 1992 Civil Unrest and the recommendations by the Christopher Commission. The 130 recommendations have largely been institutionalized. Among the recommendations were restructuring department bureaucracy, revamping the officer complaint system and implementation of FASTrack. She also talked about Community Police Board, Town Hall meetings and Cultural Diversity Training Program for sworn and civilian employees.

In addition to the C-PABs, other community outreach activities include community forums, town hall meetings, as well as police and youth academies. Chief York highlighted the police academy at the Central Division that is conducted entirely in Spanish. She also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Human Relations staff in the planning of the upcoming community safety meeting in the Hollenbeck Division and in reviewing the training provided to incoming officers.

The officer complaint system was to enhance the community's confidence that the department is being responsive to their complaints. In practice it is quite burdensome and changes are being considered.

In closing Deputy Chief York emphasized that although these different programs have enhanced the department's communication with the community, there is still work to be done.

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

5. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.