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Ep. 34 What Does Real Public Safety Look Like? (Feat. John Kim)

Published on: 28th April, 2025

The 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest, sparked by the acquittal of officers in the brutal beating of Rodney King, exposed deep cracks in the systems meant to protect and serve. More than thirty years later, what actions can we take to create real public safety practices that center justice, equity, and community care?

Joining Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson to explore these questions is John Kim, President and CEO of Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California). John shares his personal reflections on the uprising and how it continues to shape his work today. He also discusses how Catalyst California is helping to advance a new vision of safety—one that moves away from traditional policing and invests in community-centered solutions like Alternative Traffic Enforcement.

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Resources

John Kim is the President and CEO of Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California), a leading racial justice organization that champions systemic change to achieve equity and expand opportunity across the state. Throughout his career, John has been a strong advocate for community-driven solutions that address structural barriers in public education, voting rights, public finance, and public safety. Under his leadership, Catalyst California has been at the forefront of efforts to reimagine justice and safety by investing in alternatives to policing and advancing policies that center the needs and voices of historically marginalized communities. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to building a more just and inclusive California.

Website: www.catalystcalifornia.org

Instagram: @catalystca

Learn more about Alternative Traffic Enforcement programs and community-based safety models at:

www.catalystcalifornia.org/initiatives/reimagine-justice-safety

Community Announcements

Crenshaw Farmers' Market

  • Open every Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Located at 5730 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043 (Historic Fire Station 54 parking lot)
  • Accepts CalFresh EBT cards and WIC checks. Offers Market Match, which doubles CalFresh benefits up to $20 per day.
  • For more information, visit foodaccessla.org/crenshaw-farmers-market or follow on Instagram: @crenshawfm

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About the Podcast

MHD Off the Record
Dive into the heart of South Los Angeles with Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson on MHD Off The Record—where culture drives leadership and community voices lead the way!
MHD Off the Record takes you inside Los Angeles City Hall with Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. Each episode explores the culture, politics, and policies shaping life in Los Angeles from housing and homelessness to city planning, public safety, and immigrant rights.

Focused on uniting neighborhoods across the city, the MHD Off the Record podcast blends political insight with community-driven solutions. Listeners hear conversations with civic leaders, activists, and community stakeholders that reveal how multicultural organizing, music, and personal stories influence the direction of Los Angeles.

If you’re curious about how Los Angeles City Council makes decisions, want to learn about city resources, or care about the future of South LA and beyond, this podcast gives you the context and voices behind the policies that impact Angelenos every day.

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Marqueece Harris-Dawson