14
Tue, Jan

Chaos Versus Consensus: Public Spat Between Mayor Bass And LAFD Chief Crowley Accomplishes Nothing 

Political blame game during this catastrophic event only solidifies the public’s lack of confidence in LA city government! 

THE WESTSIDE - I’m old enough to remember how the country and New York City came together after the attack on America in 2001 and how a Republican Mayor in Rudy Giuliani offered the kind of leadership required to get through a crisis far larger then ever expected.  

While Giuliani’s post 9/11 political behavior has been disappointing to say the least, he stepped up for New Yorker’s as well as the country. 

It was the right thing to do that soothed and inspired Americans in the face of such a tragedy that needed to be managed swiftly, safely and with a sense everything will be okay.  

It is disappointing that such a tragedy is not being handled in the same way here in Los Angeles.  

For petty politics and grandstanding has no place in such an ongoing crisis that demands consensus, unity and leadership that move Los Angeles forward.  

While disagreement is also part of any solutions based dialogue, those conversations need to be behind closed doors, and never part of a public squabble that undermines a united front.  

For why are Mayor Bass and Chief Crowley blaming each other for this ongoing crisis? 

The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have led to a public dispute between both Bass and Crowley over the city's preparedness and response.

Chief Crowley has criticized recent budget cuts, asserting that a $17.6 million reduction approved by Mayor Bass diminished the fire department's emergency response capabilities. 

She also highlighted issues with fire hydrant failures in neighborhoods like Pacific Palisades, which delayed on the ground efforts. 

Mayor Bass has refuted claims that the budget cuts adversely affected the fire department's performance during the crisis. She stated, "There were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation," and emphasized the need for unity in crisis management. 

The public dispute has intensified scrutiny of both officials. 

A petition calling for Mayor Bass's recall has garnered over 76,000 signatures, with critics citing her absence during the initial outbreak of the fires and the budget cuts as key concerns. 

The mutual criticisms between Mayor Bass and Chief Crowley center on budget allocations and resource management, with each suggesting that the other's decisions have negatively impacted the city's ability to effectively respond to the ongoing wildfire crisis.

And while Bass and Crowley’s difference of opinions does little or nothing to assist those who need it, former LA mayoral candidate and billionaire developer Rick Caruso protected   properties with the use of private public safety services. 

Caruso, who contracted with private public safety professionals to protect his properties during the outbreak of these fires, a practice that is common with large property owners. This approach is typically driven by concerns about ensuring rapid and focused protection for specific assets, especially in high-risk wildfire areas where public fire resources may be stretched thin.

Here are some key points about the use of private firefighters in such situations:

  • Additional Protection: Private firefighting services are often contracted through high-end insurance companies or directly hired by individuals. They can provide supplemental protection to properties, including applying fire retardants, creating firebreaks, and extinguishing nearby blazes.
  • Resource Limitations: During major wildfires, public firefighting agencies prioritize life safety and the containment of the fire over individual property protection. Private firefighters can focus exclusively on protecting specific homes or estates, filling gaps in coverage.
  • Common Practice: Wealthy homeowners, particularly in wildfire-prone areas like California, often use private firefighting services as part of broader fire mitigation strategies and insurance companies offer these services to high-net-worth clients.

While Bass is an announced candidate for reelection, many speculate Caruso could possibly challenge her once again. 

Caruso, a former Republican turned Democrat self-funded his 2022 mayoral campaign that spent over $100 million of his own fortune. This made his campaign one of the most expensive in the city's history. Despite this massive spending, most of his expenditures went toward advertising, outreach, and building name recognition across Los Angeles.

Bass defeated Caruso in the 2022 runoff,  receiving 506,372 votes (55%) to Caruso’s 417,375 (45%). 

And while city budgeting and planning has become open to debate, Mayor Bass supported the Los Angeles Fire Department being included in a series of pay hikes awarded to municipal employees.  

These raises were part of a broader package that awarded civilian employees 20% to 25% pay increases over five years, costing taxpayers $4.5 billion over that period. 

These financial commitments, combined with other expenses, led to significant budget constraints. 

As a result, the city's 2024-25 budget was reduced to $12.9 billion from the previous year's $13.1 billion, necessitating cuts across various departments, including the $17.6 million reduction in the LAFD's budget. 

These cuts have been criticized in light of the wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Critics argue that the reduced funding has impaired the LAFD's ability to respond effectively to such emergencies. 

The Mayor has addressed these concerns, stating that the budget reductions did not impact the city's response to the wildfires. She emphasized that the cuts were made during tough budgetary times and were not expected to affect emergency services. 

Such tragedies and a lack of effective problem-solving can lead to the end of a political career as was the case in 1979 when Chicago Mayor Michael Bilandic failed to properly manage a blizzard that saw twenty inches of snow blanket that city. 

The infamous Chicago snowstorm of 1979, played a pivotal role in the demise of Bilandic’s political career. This storm had significant implications for the city. It was one of the worst snowstorms in Chicago's history, and the city's response was heavily criticized.

The administration of then-Mayor Bilandic was blamed for failing to adequately manage snow removal and ensure public transit systems were operational. Streets remained unplowed, and public transportation, particularly the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), struggled, leaving residents stranded.

Jane Byrne, a former ally of Mayor Bilandic who had fallen out with him, seized on public dissatisfaction during the Democratic primary for the mayoral election. 

She used the city's poor response as a cornerstone of her campaign, portraying herself as a reformer who would address such issues effectively. Byrne defeated Bilandic in the Democratic primary, a major upset for Chicago politics. She went on to win the mayoral election, becoming the first female mayor of Chicago.

The snowstorm is often cited as an example of how weather events can influence political careers and elections. It remains a defining moment in Chicago's political history and a lesson in urban crisis management.

And while this dispute between Bass and Crowley simmers, the efforts of LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman and LA Sheriff Robert Luna have been direct, detailed and admirable. 

Crowley was appointed as the Los Angeles Fire Department's chief in 2022 by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti, becoming the first woman to lead the LAFD.  

She officially took the oath of office on March 25, 2022 and earns an annual salary of $439,722.  

Prior to her appointment as chief, she served as a Deputy Chief with a total compensation pay and benefits amounting to $401,323.72.

As of 2023, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass earns an annual salary of $304,434. This figure represents an increase from the 2020 mayoral salary of $248,141. 

She is second only to the mayor of San Francisco in terms of compensation. 

Crowley is one of the highest paid fire chiefs in the United States today. 

It's worth noting that while the mayor's salary is substantial, some city employees, ironically those in the fire department, have earned more due to overtime and other compensation factors. 

Working together and ending this public relations charade is problematic, and undermines the public’s confidence in the delivery of essential services, especially during a crisis of this magnitude. 

The time is now to check these collective ego’s at the door and deliver the services the public expects.  

(Nick Antonicello is a thirty-two year resident of Venice who covers concerns that effect this neighborhood. Have a tip or a take all things Venice? Contact him at [email protected])

Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays