Mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa released a plan Thursday to protect Los Angeles from terrorists, including an expansion of police intelligence units, and accused Mayor James K. Hahn of failing to do enough to make the city's airports and harbor secure.
Hahn, in turn, called Villaraigosa's opposition to an $11-billion modernization of Los Angeles International Airport shortsighted, saying it was essential to improve security.
In announcing his plan to boost security, Councilman Villaraigosa was joined by Rep. Jane Harman (D-Venice). The congresswoman endorsed Hahn for mayor four years ago but said Thursday that she was now backing Villaraigosa, in part because she was dissatisfied with Hahn's work to keep the city safe from terrorists.
Also Thursday, Hahn picked up the endorsement of former Councilman Nate Holden at Mama's House Restaurant on Crenshaw Boulevard. Holden urged African American voters who deserted Hahn in the March election to "come on back home."
Holden, who was a deputy to Hahn's father, the late county Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, described the mayor as "a trusted friend, a dear friend to my community. It's always been said you don't trade in proven old friends for unproven new ones."
Standing with Villaraigosa in Trask Triangle Park next to LAX, Harman said she believed that he would do a better job.
"The people living near the No. 1 terrorist target in California know they will have a mayor who will work with the congressional delegation and federal officials to make LAX more secure, make L.A. city safer and not shut them out of the conversation," she said.
Villaraigosa promised to hire 1,600 additional police officers, which would allow the city to deploy more officers to guard key L.A. sites against terrorism. He also said he would spearhead a "vast expansion" of LAPD intelligence units and greater participation in regional antiterrorism working groups.
Villaraigosa, who did not commit to a specific number of new intelligence officers, said the LAPD had assigned 38 to antiterrorism activities while New York City had 500.
The councilman also said he would work with federal and state legislators on obtaining the resources to pay for better security. "We can't afford four more years of stagnation, of failed policies on airport expansion and security," he said.
