Take two seconds to fill out this petition organized by Green for All:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5379/t/6856/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=499

The LAPD is increasingly focused on serving as a space police rather than keeping us safe

An article in the Los Angeles Daily News [via LAist] discusses the Los Angeles Police Department’s benchmark of having 10,000 officers.  Some local politicians and city council members are calling for even more police:

Zine said the city will need a bigger force if the state proceeds with the early release of 27,000 prison inmates in a cost-cutting move.

“When these folks come back, there are no jobs and the economy is suffering. They’ll return to what they know, which is crime,” said Zine, a retired police sergeant. “Without these officers, it would be a dangerous and serious situation.”

A larger LAPD will only reinforce an oppressive cycle of poverty, violence, and imprisonment in Los Angeles.  Instead of hiring thousands of police officers, the city of Los Angeles should focus on green jobs.  The State of California is projected to need 10,000 solar workers each year over the next five years.  Funding real rehabilitation, job training, and green jobs, instead of more police officers to further the criminalization of communities, will initiate a cycle of cleaner neighborhoods, lower prices for photovoltaics, and more quality employment.

In the Los Angeles Sentinel, there is an article called ” Councilmember Wesson Introduces ” Invest in a Green LA” Initiative.” In this article it basically talks about how a greener LA can make a big difference, especially in the poverty and low-income areas of Los Angeles. It will help create many more jobs for the unemployed workers. In the article Wesson points out four good facts on how this project can help: 1) preserves our environment, 2) restores our natural landscape, 3) promotes green construction job training, 4) establishes a plan to remove blight from utility wires in the city of Los Angeles. With a  Green LA it will help our economy move forward on a positive note.

As Wesson said ” This is a precedent-setting package of legislative proposals that would make Los Angeles a national pioneer and a model in making the Green economy work for the city and its residents.”

With all this being said, Let us all go Green not just because of the jobs, but because it is the right thing to do, and it will make our world a better place.

The meeting will discuss the funding of a Greener Los Angeles.  The meeting will cover how a Green jobs could help the Los Angeles community. It will also be a great opportunity if anyone has any ideas or anything to say to come and let your voice be heard.

Where: Los Angeles  City Hall

When: Wednesday August 5, 2009

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

I will be blogging on this event so look out for it…….