Joe Buscaino: A Decade of Service on the Los Angeles City Council
From 2012 to 2022, Joe Buscaino served as a prominent member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing the 15th District. First elected on January 17, 2012, to fill a vacancy left by Janice Hahn, Buscaino quickly established himself as a key figure in city infrastructure and public safety. His tenure was marked by significant investments in community spaces, a steadfast commitment to law enforcement, and leadership roles extending to the national stage.
Buscaino secured strong mandates from his constituents, winning a full four-year term in 2013 with 83.09% of the vote and winning re-election in 2017 with 74.85% of the vote.
Key Facts
- District: Represented Los Angeles City Council District 15 from 2012 to 2022.
- Leadership: Served as Chairman of the Public Works Committee and President of the National League of Cities.
- Community Focus: Led major revitalization projects in Watts and San Pedro.
- Public Safety: Former and reserve police officer; strong opponent of defunding the LAPD.
- National Role: Hosted the 2018 NLC City Summit for over 5,000 officials.
Governance and Committee Leadership
Early in his tenure, the city council president appointed Buscaino as the chairman of the Public Works Committee. This role granted him oversight of the Department of Public Works—the city's third-largest department with over 5,000 employees. The department is responsible for the construction and operation of city facilities, including sewers, storm drains, streets, and public buildings.
Beyond public works, Buscaino held assignments across several critical committees:
- Public Safety: Oversight of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), and Emergency Management.
- Trade, Travel & Tourism: Including the Port of LA, Los Angeles World Airports, and the LA Convention Center.
- Economic Development: Including the Economic and Workforce Development Department.
- Transportation: Including the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) and the Board of Referred Powers.
While his administrative work was extensive, his performance received mixed reviews from the press; during his 2017 campaign, The Los Angeles Times editorial board described his performance as "adequate — no more and no less."
Community Revitalization Projects
Transforming Watts
Buscaino focused heavily on converting vacant or neglected spaces into community assets in Watts. In 2015, he lobbied for the creation of Watts Serenity Park, a $5 million project on a 1.13-acre parcel previously plagued by crime and drug use. The park now features a skate park, children's play equipment, and a Fitness Zone® for adults.
Further improvements in Watts included:
- 109th Street Pool and Rec Center: A $4 million renovation completed in July 2016, providing a splash pad, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a baseball diamond.
- 103rd St. Streetscape Improvement Project: A $1.25 million project funded by METRO to improve the blue line stop with new landscaping, benches, bicycle racks, and high-visibility crosswalks.
- Watts Towers Area: Utilizing $2 million in Green Streets funding to plant trees, repair lighting, and develop the Watts Towers Cultural Crescent.
Developing San Pedro
In San Pedro, Buscaino collaborated with the LA Great Streets Team and the Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative on the Gaffey Street Conceptual Plan. This $7.2 million initiative aims to improve the entrance to San Pedro through traffic signal synchronization, drought-tolerant landscaping, and the installation of solar-powered Soofa benches.
He also supported Clean San Pedro, a resident-led non-profit dedicated to the beautification of the Pacific Corridor. Additionally, he oversaw the search for a developer for the closed San Pedro Courthouse; in 2016, the LA County Board of Supervisors partnered with Holland Partner Group to plan a multi-use development on the 1.8-acre site, potentially adding 250 residential apartments.
One of the most ambitious projects was the San Pedro Waterfront Redevelopment Project. This $100 million endeavor involves replacing the declining Ports O' Call fishing village with the San Pedro Public Market, a 16-acre development featuring an amphitheater, promenade, and various commercial spaces.
Public Safety and Law Enforcement
As a former full-time police officer and current reserve officer, Buscaino has been a consistent advocate for the LAPD. His ties to law enforcement were evident early on, as he received over $220,000 in donations from the Los Angeles Police Protective League during his first campaign.
Buscaino remained a staunch opponent of police budget cuts. In July 2020, he was one of only two dissenting votes against a proposal to cut the LAPD budget by $150 million, arguing that the department required "smart investments" rather than funding reductions. He also organized a "unity march" with the NAACP and the LAPD in June 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.
His commitment to safety extended to the waterfront, where he advocated for faster rescue boats following a tragic 2015 accident that killed two children. He argued that while the existing Fireboat 2 is the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi, its size compromises the speed necessary for rapid response.
National Leadership
Buscaino's influence extended beyond Los Angeles through his involvement with the National League of Cities (NLC). After serving as Second Vice President, he was named First Vice President on November 10, 2018. During that same year, he hosted the NLC City Summit in Los Angeles, welcoming over 5,000 mayors and city officials. He eventually ascended to the role of NLC President on November 23, 2019.
Summary of Major Projects and Roles
| Category | Project/Role | Details/Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Public Works Committee | Chairman; oversight of 5,000+ employees |
| Watts | Watts Serenity Park | $5 million recreation space |
| Watts | 109th St Pool & Rec Center | $4 million renovation |
| San Pedro | Waterfront Redevelopment | $100 million project (Public Market) |
| San Pedro | Gaffey Street Plan | $7.2 million in conceptual improvements |
| National | National League of Cities | President (elected 2019) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Joe Buscaino's position on Indigenous Peoples Day?
Buscaino opposed the motion to rebrand Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day, describing the proposal as "divisive." He suggested a compromise title of "Immigrant Heritage Day," but the measure passed 14-1 with Buscaino as the sole dissenting vote.
How did Buscaino's background influence his policy on policing?
As a former full-time police officer and a reserve officer, Buscaino strongly opposed defunding the police. He advocated for "smart investments" and deliberate planning for the LAPD rather than budget cuts.
What is the San Pedro Public Market?
The San Pedro Public Market is a 16-acre development part of a $100 million waterfront redevelopment project. It is designed to replace the Ports O' Call fishing village with restaurants, shops, offices, a promenade, and an amphitheater.
What improvements were made to the 103rd St. area?
Using $1.25 million in METRO funding, the 103rd St. Streetscape Improvement Project added irrigated landscaped medians, a gateway monument, high-visibility crosswalks, bicycle racks, and sidewalk improvements to benefit pedestrians using the blue line stop.
What was Buscaino's role in the National League of Cities?
Buscaino served as Second Vice President, then First Vice President (2018), and was eventually elected President of the National League of Cities on November 23, 2019.