#  From Beaches to Ballots: A Summer Checkup on Los Angeles

     Details    Dennis P. Zine   ![logo](https://mail.citywatchla.com//templates/ja_teline_v/images/logo.png)         July 02 2026      [  ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/052f.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/stories/July-2026/052f.jpg?width=1226&height=816)    ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/neighborhood-politics/32967-from-beaches-to-ballots-a-summer-checkup-on-los-angeles)

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 RANTS AND RAVEZ - We have entered the Summer Months in Southern California and with this comes Vacation Time, Relaxing away from work, Trips to the Beach and Mountains and Fireworks on the 4th of July. The rest of the summer months should be filled with fun times relaxing in sunny Southern California and other locations in and around our state and beyond.

This edition of RantZ and RaveZ will hopefully enlighten you on the changing politics in “LOST” Angeles and information that will hopefully inform you of what you need to do to remain Safe, Healthy and most of all Happy in “Lost” Angeles and the neighboring communities of Southern California.

I need to start off with your safety and that of your families. The LAPD reports that all major crimes are down. This includes all crimes against people and property. When I report all, we are looking at everything from Homicide to Theft. Congratulations to you for keeping safe and our Police Officers for helping keep us and our families safe. This is in spite of the LAPD shrinking to a low of 8,569 sworn personnel as of June 27, 2026.

You may not know about some of the unusual services some L.A. City Council members provide for their constituents. Provide items and services with our TAX Dollars we all pay for. The most recent and unusual I learned about is the one provided by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez from the 1st Council District in Chinatown. FREE Mobile Laundry Service to Chinatown residents. $250,000 in city funds have been provided to fund a year of FREE laundry service to the community. The service operates Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Washing, drying and folding are all provided with the FREE service. This is another service provided to the community by the councilmember who was just re-elected for another 4 years.

Additionally, Councilmember Hernandez is the Councilmember who represents MacArthur Park and does everything she can to restrict the LAPD and law enforcement from enforcing the laws in and around the park. The park has been a drug haven for many years and has been taken over by violent gangs. To counter the problems associated with the park, The L.A. County Board of Supervisors have initiated a process to construct a $2.3 million iron fence around the park. The fence is designed to reduce crime and violence and increase safety. It would benefit the population in and around the park if safety returned to the area that serves over 40,000 residents. Only time will tell if any sort of safety ever returns to MacArthur Park.

The California Primary Election is over, and the winners and losers have been announced. We now await the General Election on November 3, 2026. As Election Day approaches, I will share my endorsement list of candidates and ballot measures. The November election will be critical for “Lost” Angeles and California, especially the mayoral race. Bass vs. Raman will be a fight to the finish. Voters will choose between a candidate who supports public safety and one who could undermine it in “Lost” Angeles. Will we follow New York’s lead and elect candidates from the Democratic Socialists of America, or will we choose candidates who believe in the values and principles that make America the land of opportunity for all? Will our safety and quality of life improve or decline? Only time will tell along with our Votes. Watch for more election information and recommendations as we approach the November General Elections.

That’s it for this edition of RantZ and RaveZ. Keep Safe and watch out for the soon to be installed “Photo Speed Cameras” that will nail the REGISTERED vehicle OWNER with heavy fines. No more talking your way out of the speeding ticket!

*(Dennis P. Zine is the author of RantZ and RaveZ for CityWatchLA.com. Dennis is retired from Law Enforcement and the L.A. City Council. He can be heard on KABC Radio 790 AM and other Los Angeles Media broadcasts.)*

  - [  Previous Article **Mckinney: Homelessness Is A Solvable Issue With The Right Approach!**  ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32970:mckinney-homelessness-is-a-solvable-issue-with-the-right-approach&catid=327)
- [  Next Article **Gavin Newson and the Wealth Tax. Hypocrisy laced with Presidential Aspiration?** ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32935:gavin-newson-and-the-wealth-tax-hypocrisy-laced-with-presidential-aspiration&catid=327)
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