For Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council
Focus Areas
Every neighborhood has its challenges and opportunities. This campaign is built on a simple belief: local government should be rooted in the lived experiences of the people it serves. Whether it’s improving safety on our streets, improving traffic & transportation, ensuring services are more and accessible, ensuring government remains transparent and accountable, or opening doors for young people to engage in civic life, my priorities reflect conversations I’ve had with neighbors across our community.
Public Safety
The Local Landscape
In Sherman Oaks, public safety is about more than just reducing crime. While violent crime has declined, property crimes like residential burglaries continue to affect neighborhoods, with several incidents reported in 2024.
At the same time, the growing visibility of homelessness, particularly near Ventura Boulevard, freeway corridors, and public parks, raises serious concerns around both safety and public health. These challenges are compounded by limited disaster preparedness, as seen during the recent Palisades Fire, when many residents reported lacking evacuation plans or emergency supplies. Older buildings that do not meet current seismic standards increase the neighborhood’s vulnerability.
In addition, seniors are increasingly targeted by digital scams, highlighting the need for stronger local outreach and education.
Addressing public safety in Sherman Oaks means taking a broader, more connected approach that includes housing, health, emergency readiness, and protection for our most at-risk neighbors.
My Approach
From my experience, it’s clear that keeping Sherman Oaks safe means more than just law enforcement. Partnering with LAPD to address concerns is important, but expanding initiatives like CIRCLE, where trained professionals respond to non-violent calls, reduces unnecessary policing and improves outcomes.
I also believe programs like Inside Safe must operate with transparency and accountability to build trust and effectively support those experiencing homelessness.
Emergency preparedness is important for Sherman Oaks. Offering multilingual CERT training and neighborhood-specific evacuation plans ensures every resident, especially seniors and families, has the resources they need. Growing communities require consistent, accessible public education delivered through multiple channels and trusted local partners to truly make a difference.
Affordable housing is a crucial part of public safety and public health. Many current housing initiatives fail to serve our most vulnerable residents because they do not guarantee truly affordable options. Without this, displacement continues, which worsens homelessness and strains community resources. It’s vital to push for housing policies that secure real affordability and support infrastructure that can sustain growth, protecting both vulnerable residents and reserving Sherman Oaks' charm.
As your Neighborhood Council representative, I will advocate for these practical solutions that improve safety and help all of Sherman Oaks thrive.
Traffic & Transportation
The Local Landscape
Traffic congestion and safety remain pressing issues in Sherman Oaks, with 128 collisions reported in the West Valley during early 2025, many on busy streets like Sepulveda Boulevard. Recent emergencies and road closures have pushed traffic into residential neighborhoods, creating safety and noise concerns.
Public transit access remains limited for many underserved residents, restricting mobility options. At the same time, it is equally critical to approach housing development near transit thoughtfully. Proposals like SB 79, which would allow large apartment buildings near transit stops, raise concerns about potential gentrification and displacement of long-term residents, as well as threats to single-family neighborhoods.
Transportation policies must be balanced to improve mobility and access without undermining the community’s stability and character.
My Approach
Public safety and quality of life are directly impacted when streets become congested and unsafe. I am committed to improving local traffic flow by supporting expanded safe street designs, additional stop signs at high-risk intersections like Clark and Kester, and ensuring better visibility around alleyways and signage.
Additionally, I will advocate for implementing adaptive traffic signal control systems and recalibrating stop sign timing based on real-time traffic data to optimize flow and reduce congestion on key corridors.
As an avid Metro user, I understand firsthand the importance of reliable public transportation. I support underground alternatives like Metro’s Sepulveda Transit Corridor (Alternative 6) and strengthening DASH services to better serve underserved communities.
I am committed to advocate for policies that enhance mobility while protecting long-term residents and preserving the character of single-family neighborhoods.
Government Accountability & Accessibility
The Local Landscape
Local government is designed to be the most accessible tier of the democratic system. In neighborhoods like Sherman Oaks, residents are encouraged to participate in decision-making processes through public meetings and local initiatives run by the neighborhood council or adjacent advisory bodies. However, practical accessibility often falls short. Many residents don’t engage with local government because they’re unaware of how or when to get involved. Others, are balancing work, family, and other responsibilities, it can be difficult to stay informed or engage.
Government transparency also remains a key concern. Recent audits of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) found significant financial mismanagement and weak oversight in programs meant to address the region’s homelessness crisis. Although it is commendable that in response, the city moved to take direct control of homelessness funding, it reflects the growing concern over accountability. When transparency breaks down, trust in government does too. Residents are left uncertain about where resources are going, how decisions are made, and whether city agencies are working in the public’s best interest.
The combination of these factors has lead to a lack of civic engagement and participation.
My Approach
According to the 2022 U.S. Census, over 54% of Sherman Oaks/ Encino residents speak a language other than English at home. For civic engagement to be truly inclusive, communication strategies must be intentional, multilingual, and culturally responsive.
Council File 23-0039 offers a meaningful step forward. It proposes the provision of translation and interpretation services at Neighborhood Council meetings, allowing non-English-speaking residents to participate more fully in public discussions and local decision-making. I plan to continue to push for initiatives like this. However, formal translation isn’t the method to engage residents.
For example, I want to focus on providing key community updates in simplified language, avoiding dense jargon, and linking residents to trusted third-party translation services can help bridge the information gap. These practices wouldn’t replace official translations but can enhance day-to-day accessibility.
Visibility is another critical piece of the puzzle. Due to the fact that people are kept busy by other responsibilities, creating a stronger digital presence, is important. Strategic use of platforms like Instagram and utilizing trends and other engagement analytics, could dramatically increase visibility.
Building an accessible government means meeting people where they are. As a representative, my approach will center on practical solutions. I want to that prioritize inclusion, communication, and transparency without losing sight of the structural standards that ensure integrity and trust.
Expanding Access To Resources and Services
The Local Landscape
In Sherman Oaks is diverse. The are people from all walks of life, representing a wide range of cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. While many residents are well-informed and connected, there are still significant gaps in awareness and access especially among seniors, lower-income households, immigrants, and those less familiar with digital tools or government processes.
Many residents may not know where to begin when it comes to finding housing assistance, applying for government benefits, filing taxes, or understanding their rights as renters or small business owners. Others may face challenges navigating online systems to access services like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or other programs.
At the same time, digital literacy and financial education remain pressing concerns. From learning how to protect themselves against online scam to understanding save for retirement, people in Sherman Oaks need practical, trusted guidance.
Recognizing the diversity of Sherman Oaks means designing outreach strategies that are inclusive, multilingual, and culturally responsive. Everyone deserves to navigate life with confidence, security, and support.
My Approach
I believe the Neighborhood Council’s greatest strength is its ability to connect directly with residents in ways larger institutions cannot. I know from personal experience that access to public programs can make a meaningful difference.
To expand access in Sherman Oaks, I would prioritize a two-part approach.
1) implementing a digital and physical media strategy that uses targeted, multilingual messaging to reach residents
2) creating a year-round outreach model that includes regular engagement with our neighbors. This will allow for residents to receive or become aware of resources and services that are specific to their needs.
I want to work towards making city and county services more understandable, accessible, and equitable for everyone in our community.
Youth Engagement
Why It Matters.
Youth are one of the most critically important, and yet consistently underutilized, forces in our community. My generation is not only forward-thinking and eager to learn, but we are also deeply aware of the urgent issues facing our society because we are among the most affected by systemic failures in housing, education, climate, and economic opportunity. When the youth are engaged, the broader community becomes more engaged.
We amplify civic energy, challenge outdated assumptions, and push for solutions that institutions may not have considered. In Sherman Oaks, we have a strong framework of youth programs, but participation is often limited by barriers like transportation, cost, or lack of awareness. This is especially true for young people from underrepresented or lower-income families. If we want to build lasting civic strength, we need to intentionally remove these obstacles and create more pathways for youth leadership.
Empowering young people isn’t just an investment in their future, it’s an investment in the future of Sherman Oaks.