Where they stand:
HOMELESSNESS
Rodriguez
Wants to crack down on drug dealing near Tujunga Wash, site of homeless encampments.
Would put more money toward cleaning and police enforcement of encampments.
Torossian
Wants to create an ID card system for homeless people. The documentation would show individuals are regularly utilizing social services so police know they’re getting help.
Help formerly homeless individuals get city jobs.
CRIME
Rodriguez
After a recent rash of store break-ins in Sylmar, would create a neighborhood business watch.
Reallocate existing resources so officers aren’t doing desk jobs, and hire more officers.
Torossian
Wants to hire more civilian employees in Police Department, such as police photographers, to free up officers.
Create city-run program for youths to help them learn life skills.
BULLET TRAIN
Rodriguez
Supports bullet train, but wants the route from Central California to end in Palmdale, rather than go through District 7. The train would then connect from Palmdale to downtown L.A. along existing Metrolink tracks.
Torossian
Opposes bullet train. Wants to spend money allocated for train on local transportation projects.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Rodriguez
Points to her work helping create the Small Business Academy while on the Board of Public Works.
Would encourage small businesses to apply for contracts with the city to compete for new infrastructure projects, including the sidewalk repair program.
Torossian
Points to his work helping restaurants open in Studio City.
Create a business “concierge desk” in his council office, dedicating one staffer to attract new businesses and retain existing ones.
FIRE RESPONSE TIMES
Rodriguez
Would ensure that fire stations in District 7 are fully staffed to improve response times.
Would push to open a fire station in Sylmar.
Torossian
Would require all new developments’ environmental reviews to detail fire response times. If the times are significantly longer than the national average of 4 minutes, the developer would have to take steps to improve them, by building new access roads, for example.
Would push to open a fire station in Sylmar.