Residents Ask Mayor to Help Crime-Ridden Community

For many years, the area near Figueroa Street Elementary School in South-Central Los Angeles has had its share of crime, and residents reluctantly accepted it as a way of life.

The stray bullet that struck Figueroa Street teacher Alfredo Perez in February has changed all that, and the change was exhibited Monday evening.

At the Ascension Catholic School on 111th Place, across the street from the public school, 300 people spilled into a small auditorium to express their fears and to try to create a community safety plan.

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan received two rousing standing ovations from the residents by simply and emphatically stating “Yes!” when asked if he would work with the community to create a so-called “safe school zone” for the two neighborhood schools.

“The secret of cleaning up the communities is for the neighbors to take responsibility for their own neighborhoods,” said Riordan, who suggested that the community get more involved by reporting crimes and applying positive peer pressure to the children.

He said that studies have shown a correlation between getting rid of the smaller crimes--such as graffiti, illegal dumping and loitering--and a decrease in major crimes.

One of the inspirations for the safe school zone at Figueroa and 111th is a program in Exposition Park called “Family of Five Schools’ Kid Watch Program.”

A joint effort between neighbors, police, USC and the area’s five elementary schools, the program calls for volunteers to watch young students at various points on their way to school.

Participants in Monday’s meeting were enthusiastic about the heavy turnout as a first step toward a safer community.’

“I was very impressed by the fact that the mayor showed up. This is a good sign,” said Michelle Ferguson, whose daughters, Khiara, 10, and Khiana, 7, attend Ascension School.

“With such a large turnout as this, you already have the roots of empowerment,” said Capt. Paul Pesqueira of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southeast Division. “Just by showing up, they express their deep concern. All these people really want is a safe place for their kids to grow up.”

The next meeting, where details of the community safety plan are expected to be discussed, is scheduled May 31.

Fifth-grade teacher Perez, who was shot in front of his students in the school library, remains partially paralyzed at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, where he is undergoing rehabilitation.