The Parks Plan

By Bernard C. Parks

There is no doubt who Eighth District voters should elect on March 4th. There is no other candidate who comes close to the experience of Bernard Parks. But, what's even more impressive, Parks brings a type of understanding that is unparalleled. He has seen and survived the ills of the city, has taken unprecedented steps to solve them and knows where to go from here. In other words, "Parks gets it"!

Parks' expertise in crime prevention led to a 35-year low in crime in Los Angeles. He plans to use that same expertise to help cut the current growing threat to public safety in our communities.

Public Safety #1- The issue of public safety is a difficult one for most city officials... but not for Bernard Parks! His experience as an L.A.P.D. officer and an F.B.I graduate makes him well suited to handle what he calls, "The most important issue facing our city today". Parks highlights public safety because it doesn't just involve crime. It also involves other aspects of city life. "When there's a drop-off in public safety", he says, "we aren't comfortable walking the streets and business people aren't comfortable bringing their stores into the community." Parks adds, "A poor public safety agenda not only leads to a loss of countless lives. It also leads to a loss of economic opportunities."

The Parks Plan- "Prevention, Intervention, Education..."- A big part of Parks' stance on public safety centers on providing the best learning and living environment possible for children... and intervening, when necessary, to prevent today's bright-eyed youths from becoming tomorrow's troubled young adults. If it means donating dozens of dictionaries to Crenshaw High School... he's done it! If it means supporting Measure K, the school bond initiative to build more schools... he's done that too! No deed is too big or too small, when it comes to the Parks Plan. Much of the first phase of the plan starts in the home. Parks calls on families to be responsible for their children and on residents to become activists and take control of their communities. Step 2- Rehabilitation: Because the prison community is rapidly released into the mainstream community each day... there's also a need to fix these broken lives, before they return to society. A recent poll Parks conducted is the blueprint for the Parks Plan. It called for more education and rehabilitation programs and helped him formulate a "to do" list to take to City Hall. Here are some of the programs he'll push for, when he's elected:

 Rehabilitation Programs For At-Risk Youths & New Parolees ( including intern programs, school programs and mental and physical health programs)

 Expanding After-School Programs- to keep kids in shape and out of trouble.

 More Police Patrols In The Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Our Communities- to make violent criminals think twice about violating the law.

Economic Development- A revolutionary candidate with an evolutionary vision, Bernard Parks has groundbreaking ideas on the issue of economic development. For far too long, the Eighth District has been content to have fast-food chains throw the community "a bone" by opening a few restaurants in the area. But, why stop there? Parks wants their warehouses, bakeries, distribution centers and administrative offices as well! Why should the Eighth District be happy with the small number of low paying jobs that a restaurant provides, while fast food businesses continue to offer more jobs and higher paying jobs outside of the city? Future Councilman Parks plans to require more businesses to include warehouses and other facilities, when they move into the Eighth District. "There is no substitute for having the ability to earn a good living in the area you live in," Parks says. "It builds self esteem, it helps keep money in our area and it means less time on the road for commuters." He will also keep an eye on exactly what kinds of businesses are coming to the area. With one of the highest child obesity rates in the state, the Eighth District can no longer afford the ongoing expansion of fast-food restaurants.

"Stop Playing the Waiting Game!"- To flourish economically, the Eighth District can't depend primarily on the city or state to fund its developments and job creation projects. It, simply, takes too long. Parks has the connections to speed up the process and influence private industry to build now!

"Building Community, Building Families ..."- It's Parks' type of "Economic Community Building" that goes hand-in-hand with "Family Building". In addition to crime reduction and economic health, jobs from new developments in the district can make it possible for working families to earn a livable wage.

Housing- "Home Ownership Brings Pride to the Community!" Parks won't be satisfied with improving public safety, education and employment for Eighth District residents. He also wants to help them buy homes! Parks is currently examining new ways for first-time buyers to afford down payments. He says, "Affordable housing is a necessity!" Parks also wants to keep older houses standing, as new schools, parks and libraries are built.

Senior Citizens: "The Hidden Treasure of Our Community..." One of the groups in desperate need of affordable housing is the Eighth District's growing senior citizen population. But, Parks says, "They shouldn't be stowed away in some home. They should be very visible in the community. We have a lot to learn from our seniors." That's why he's working on programs to display their skills and expertise throughout the district. Parks also wants to increase their leisure activities.

The Parks Plan on Transportation- As Parks says, "Public transportation should be timely, clean, safe and accessible." But, once again, there is a lot of work to do on the issue. Disturbingly, the Eighth District is the only part of the city that is not linked to major transportation vehicles, like the red line and blue line. We need to expand these systems to our communities to ease traffic congestion and bring in even more jobs!

Public Service- "In the end," Parks says, "It all comes back to public service." He's very comfortable having the community be his boss! And, as he looks forward to continuing what is now his 38th year of public service, the same philosophy he followed as an officer still holds true. "People demand very simple things from their elected officials," Parks says, "When they need the services they pay for, they want them performed correctly and they want them in a timely manner." "I can do that", he insists. In fact, Parks is determined to make his administration the most pro-active and responsive administration the city has ever seen! "Awareness Is Key"- "There are simply too many people who don't know who to contact to get their sidewalks fixed, their trees trimmed or their garbage picked up", Parks says. "I pledge to make every service readily available, and I pledge to make sure people know how to get access to them."

There is no doubt who Eighth District voters should elect on March 4th. There is no other candidate who comes close to the experience of Bernard Parks... no one else who's maintained a relationship with government officials on federal, state and local levels. But, what's even more impressive, Parks brings a type of understanding that is unparalleled. He has seen and survived the ills of the city, has taken unprecedented steps to solve them and knows where to go from here. In other words, "Parks gets it"!