This past December, I did a ride along with the Los Angeles Police Department. One thing that stood out was how many officers it takes to properly field a single call. Multiple squad cars are often needed to secure the scene, assess risk, and handle situations safely. It’s careful, professional work – but it also means that fewer officers are available to respond when officers are tied up on another call.
Los Angeles has roughly 8,700 sworn officers – well below historic highs. That represents about 2.3 officers per 1,000 residents. In New York City, that ratio is 4.2; in Chicago, 4.0. Fewer officers means slower response times and less consistent patrols. It also means higher costs, as LAPD relies on overtime to fill gaps – one of the most expensive ways to deliver basic services.
You can see the consequences across the Valley. A woman followed to her car in a grocery store parking lot. A small business hit twice in one week. These are not headlines – they are daily experiences, and they’re shaped by how we budget for public safety.
That’s why it matters who you elect as your next City Controller. The Controller is the city’s independent financial watchdog, auditing spending and turning those findings into tangible results.
I am running for City Controller to change a status quo that has failed Angelenos. I will bring financial judgment and common-sense problem solving to a City Hall that sorely lacks these qualities.
In public safety, that means advocating to fund more officers on the street, which will reduce response times and create safer neighborhoods. And there is arguably no department that needs this new approach more than the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Throughout the Valley, residents see encampments near schools and parks, open drug use, and individuals struggling with mental illness. Since 2022, we have spent nearly $3 billion on homelessness with no results.
As Controller, I will prioritize a recovery-first approach that requires drug addiction and mental health treatment, brings transparency to every dollar, and holds service providers accountable.
We should also think bigger. The City owns 17,500 acres at the former Palmdale Airport. That land could support a regional addiction treatment and mental health campus, offering a real path to recovery.
I’m proud to have the support of Valley leaders like former Controller Laura Chick, Councilmembers Bob Blu-menfield, John Lee, and Monica Rodriguez, the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats, and the Los Angeles Police Protective League.
If you are tired of paying more and getting less – and want real accountability for your tax dollars – vote Zach Sokoloff for City Controller on June 2.
