JBAC Report

The block club, the lowest and most local rung of the tremendous monstrosity that is the government of the city of Los Angeles, meets every 3rd Saturday in the function room of the local Methodist church. This was my second meeting of the JBAC block club.

JBAC is Jefferson, La Brea, Adams, and Crenshaw, just so you know. The "B" used to be Buckinham, I think, but, they're trying to expand.

At the block club, one of the leaders stalls and vamps until the city councilman Herb Wesson's representative, the loquatious and animated Mr Lord, shows up. Mr Lord then tells us about the great things that the city council is doing. This week, there was the opening of the new Denny's and Goodwil on the site of the old bowling alley on Crenshaw Blvd. Then he reminds us that if we want something done, we should first call 311, then call him when the city (inevitably) fails to do anything, so that he can apply extra pressure.

Afterwards, the LAPD rep tells us about the local crimes this month. (Murder on Adams Ave this month. Gang related, so they say.) Then he takes a litany of complaints. Even I know that there is nothing the police can do, since most of the nuisance stuff is too small fry for the most underpoliced big city in the nation. But it is nice that they try.

I would like the meeting better if there were snacks. That would really complete the whole town-hall-meeting atmosphere. But is really is our own bit of Stars Hollow right here in South LA.