March 19, 2024 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

Woman Sentenced for $3.9 Million Fraud and Body Disposal Scheme with Elderly Victim

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Gruesome Attempt to Dispose of Victim’s Body in West Los Angeles Apartment A San Fernando Valley woman has been sentenced...

The Brentwood Library Announces Fantastic Week of Events For Everyone

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

From Storytime to Classical Music: A Week of Enriching Activities The Brentwood Library has announced an exciting lineup of events...

Roadway Construction Alert at LAX: Plan Your Travel Accordingly

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Lane Restrictions Scheduled Nightly from March 17 to March 23 After this weekend’s closures of Century Boulevard, which frustrated travelers...

Santa Monica Authorities Seek Public’s Help After Sexual Assault Incident

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

SMPD Urges Anyone With Information to Come Forward Authorities in Santa Monica are seeking information from the public after a...

Los Angeles Marathon 2024 Concludes: Annual Race Draws International Talent and Record Numbers

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Top finishers from Kenya and Ethiopia lead the race, with U.S. representation among the leaders The 39th Annual Los Angeles...

Brentwood Beat: Can LA Learn Anything from Oakland?

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

When those of us in LA – especially Brentwood – think of Oakland, the images that come to mind probably...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

The Auld Fella: Brentwood and Culver City’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Destination

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Join the Craic at The Auld Fella’s Celebrations: Dining, Drinking, Shenanigans If you are looking for an epic St. Patrick’s...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

Brentwood Homeowners Association Hosts Annual Meeting with City Leaders

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Key City Leaders to Address Crime and Community Concerns The Brentwood Homeowners Association has announced that they will hold their...

Brentwood Community Council Meeting to Host Special Roundtable Discussion Tomorrow

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

BCC Meeting to Tackle Local Concerns After Monthly Updates  The Brentwood Community Council (BCC) is set to convene for its...

Countdown to the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon: Road Closures Ahead

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Annual Marathon Comes with Saint Patrick’s Day Twist in 2024 Just three days from now, the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon...