Residents say that they are increasingly frustrated that the Villaraigosa administration's planning and zoning officials appear to be treating their pleas as a low priority.
"How long do we have to wait? How many murders do we have to go through? How much do our children have to see before they take some action?" said Joanne Kim, chief operating officer of the coalition, which responded to the 1992 riots with a campaign to rebuild South Los Angeles without liquor stores.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Tuesday May 01, 2007 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 55 words Type of Material: Correction
Riots anniversary: A photo of the Community Coalition's Bettye Draughan that accompanied a story in Sunday's California section about the 15th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots was taken by Gary Friedman, not Carlos Chavez. A photo of City Planning Director Gail Goldberg that appeared in some editions also was taken by Friedman, not Chavez.
Goldberg, hired by Villaraigosa, met with coalition members six months ago and promised to address their list of 21 trouble spots.
Coalition leaders who reviewed the status of those sites Saturday gave the city a failing grade, although some said they believe that Goldberg has good intentions and deserves praise for meeting with them.
Goldberg said that her department is only one player in a process that also involves the city attorney's office and other agencies.
"I wish I could do it alone," she said, adding that evidence of wrongdoing is needed to reprimand or close a liquor store.
Residents countered that they have provided the city with evidence on some stores for 10 or 15 years.
"They're asking us all over again. What other community has to do it all over again?" Kim said.
Some moments Saturday were more upbeat.
Residents released 53 butterflies outside the Community Coalition offices to signify hope that South Los Angeles can be rejuvenated.
At the forum, Rice praised efforts by law enforcement leaders to launch community-based policing and seek the trust of the neighborhood and church leaders.
"It's been stunning to see the sea change at the top. They're trying to change the culture," Rice said.
Some residents expressed frustration as they left the First AME meeting.
"If you have a 40 to 50% dropout rate in high school, there is no hope for you to have a meaningful life," said the Rev. Brenda Lamonthe, an executive assistant at First AME Church. "It's like there's a psychological and emotional imprisonment of our kids because our community does not equip them to get beyond poverty, gangs or drugs."
Karen Robinson, 46, of Inglewood said she felt little was accomplished at the forum.
"There are still no jobs. Our youth are still turning to gangs, and not education," she said.
"I can't say I'm walking out of here feeling that we know what we're going to do. Talk is cheap."
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deborah.schoch@latimes.com
ron.lin@latimes.com
