July 2, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Brentwood Beat: Rick Caruso for Homelessness Czar

We have a new mayor, Karen Bass, and a new CD11 city council member, Traci Park. 

Congratulations all around!

The work now begins in earnest. Homelessness is Issue No. 1.

As people debate the causes and cures for homelessness, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds. 

The system is too complex, too expensive and horribly ineffectual. People get paid lots of money for producing little if any results. 

Some argue for temporary shelters and tiny homes, figuring we can work on permanent supportive housing later. 

Some say permanent supportive housing is the only thing that works – but permanent supportive housing takes years to build and costs too much. 

Mental health professionals say that without adequate “wrap-around services,” more housing alone won’t do the trick. Many homeless individuals are “service resistant” and don’t want housing – or services – even if offered. 

It’s complicated. There’s one thing that’s not complicated: We all know moving people from this street corner to that street corner solves nothing. 

It’s way past time to try something new. 

So what’s the solution? 

Rather than make a lot of recommendations, let’s start with just one: I hope Karen Bass will ask Rick Caruso to serve as LA’s homelessness czar. 

If he is given the mandate, the authority and the funding to fix this problem, I think he will do it. He’s a can-do guy, and he obviously knows how to build things. 

He has served on other city commissions; serving as homelessness czar would be a natural next step. This is the biggest challenge of our times. 

By reaching out to her former opponent, Karen Bass can show the city – and the country – we’re taking steps to overcome political division. I hope, if offered this role, Rick Caruso will accept it. We need his talents. 

If Karen Bass and Rick Caruso work together, this is a situation where “one plus one equals three.” There will be complementarity, synergy – a multiplier effect. 

In the business startup community, it is often said you should not dive right in and build the business. You should first build the team that will go on to build the business. 

People, it is said, are more important than having a great idea or even money. Many great startups with promising ideas fail – and lose money – because the wrong people are in charge. Leadership is important. A great leader who is dealt a bad hand will figure out how to turn that bad hand into a winning hand.

Abraham Lincoln famously formed a cabinet made up largely of those who ran against him – the “Team of Rivals,” as author Doris Kearns Goodwin put it. When Barack Obama became president, he named Hillary Clinton – his opponent in the 2008 primary election – his secretary of state.

I hope Karen Bass and Rick Caruso will find their way clear to work together. 

Traci Park, our new CD11 representative, was asked many times on the campaign trail if she would be endorsing Karen Bass or Rick Caruso. She wisely stayed out of it, saying she would need to work with whichever candidate was elected. 

I’m sure she will work well with Mayor Bass – and “Czar” Caruso, should this idea come to fruition. 

I know many don’t like the title, “czar.” They can figure out a proper title. Titles aren’t the issue. Getting results is the issue. 

I hope this new partnership happens. It would be good for the city. It would offer excitement – and hope. Fingers crossed.

Related Posts

(Video) Los Angeles County Supervisor from the 2nd district, Holly J. Mitchel, Gives a Powerful Speech

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Supervisor Mitchell Called on Residents to take action at the rally for Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano in Culver City.

Top Military Commander Urges Return of Troops Deployed to ICE Protest Response

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

General Requests 200 National Guard Soldiers Be Returned to California Wildfire Unit The senior U.S. military officer overseeing federal forces...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

City Issues Determination That Could Clear Way for Barry Building Demolition

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Preservation Deemed Infeasible Due to Economic and Social Factors The historic Barry Building on San Vicente Boulevard may soon face...

Historic Sawtelle Nursery Site Could Become 40-Unit Townhome Complex

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Sawtelle Continues to Change as Nursery Site Faces Redevelopment Plans have been submitted to redevelop a nursery site, F.K. Nursery,...

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

TV Writer Jon Cowan Brings Legal Thriller Proof to Diesel A Bookstore in Brentwood

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The Suits Producer and First-Time Novelist Will Discuss His Debut Courtroom Drama Television writer and producer Jon Cowan will appear...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Brentwood Gardener Brutally Attacked by Squatter; Neighbors Demand Action

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Rodolfo Roman Was Hospitalized After Being Beaten With a Metal Pole Tensions are rising in a Brentwood neighborhood after a...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...