Thankfully, We've Reached the Other Side

We were among the first to call for a curfew. We did so in solidarity with the Historic Core, Fashion District, and Little Tokyo following the organized looting that struck their neighborhoods at the beginning of last week. Between the chaos that was being broadcast out to the world, and the level of sophistication demonstrated by the looters springing into action once the legitimate protests ended, the curfew was necessary for the community and officials to regroup ahead of more uncertain nights. 

Within hours of the announced hours, we were also among the first to call for the curfew to be amended. We asked that city leaders more narrowly focus the curfew on a time that would allow LAPD to address legitimate looting concerns, while also not harming workers and businesses. We expressed support for the anti-looting task force and a targeted and elevated presence across downtown, but also expressed our concern that protecting some businesses at the expense of others was untenable.  

And at the beginning of this week, we joined the DTLA Residents Association in asking for the curfew to be ended, not amended. I heard from multiple stakeholders over the weekend that they couldn't survive the curfew.  And we continued to hear and see negative stories increase the perception that downtown wasn't open for business. The curfew was not only impacting existing business owners but was doing reputation damage to downtown that would impact the decisions of potential investors, visitors, and residents long after this crisis would end. 

Balance is a very hard thing. Having it in a crisis is like walking a tightrope across the Grand Canyon with fireworks going off while people shout legitimate, but conflicting, demands at you. Moving too slowly, only prolongs your risks.  Move too quickly, and a false step becomes fatal. Ultimately getting across is all that matters. 

Thankfully, we reached the other side.  

We reached the other side together, prepared to advocate collectively as a business and residential community for the type of investments in public safety, local businesses, and infrastructure that will allow us to welcome visitors and investors not only ahead of the World Cup and Olympics, but ahead into the next decade to fully realize the possibility of a dense urban neighborhood that is welcoming to all.  

And all includes immigrants. First and foremost, our community's culture is enriched by its roots being in the experience of people no matter whether they self-identify as indigenous or immigrant, that have created something uniquely Angeleno. It's why the diversity of a Kendrick Lamar audience shouting They Not Like Us at SoFi Stadium is both perplexing and understandable. But there's no othering amongst Angelenos, the they are the us no matter what we look like in a crowd.  

Second – immigrants are a critical part of our economic success story in downtown – historically, presently, and in our future.  The small business owners in the Santee Alley of the Fashion District, the shop owners in Little Tokyo, the families who own and work in many of downtown's best restaurants, and individuals that support the operations of our hotels and residential buildings are critical to our ability to turn around and fill the City's coffers with tax dollars that support the sustainability of every neighborhood in Los Angeles. If downtown is the heartbeat, our immigrant community is the vessel that pumps out the sound and pulse that lets the region, and the world, know we're alive. 

And so, we will, and must, protect the heart of our community, with the same urgency we had for protecting the Apple store. The resources LAPD has at its disposal for protests and unrest, would be welcome long-term investments in the form of real time camera centers, bike patrols, the return of the LA Live Corridor foot patrols, and targeted task forces to address burglaries, auto thefts, and graffiti. We demand public safety all the time, for all people, not just under restrictions to our rights. And we benefit from a relationship with LAPD that is partnering and perpetual. Cuts to the police department have had the unintended consequence of ending the community policing programs that residents support the most. If we care about downtown, as a place for all Angelenos to thrive, then we have to invest in its prosperity, not just preventatively during times of protest.  

Our businesses need customers in order to survive. Customers spend money where they feel safe. More patrons going in and out of vibrant storefronts means that streets are safer. The more economically prosperous areas we can create, the more tax revenue for the city to invest back into not only public safety for all, but social and economic opportunity for all.  This is the clarity I've always approached our work with. The last few weeks have been chaotic, but who I work for, why I do it, and the clarity of where we're going always helps me get across to the other side.