Candidate for
Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 15

Joe Buscaino has lived in the 15th City Council district his entire life. He is a first-generation American, whose parents emigrated here from Italy in pursuit of the American dream, over 40 years ago. His father, a fisherman and union-employee at Di Carlos Bakery, and his mother, a stay at home mom who raised three kids, instilled in Joe compassion and commitment to family, community, and faith from an early age.

Joe grew up in our neighborhoods attending Leland Street Elementary, Dana Middle School, and San Pedro High School. He excelled academically and athletically, while participating in the arts and serving as his Senior Class President. After graduating, Joe attended Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington, transferred to UCLA, and graduated with honors from California State + Dominguez Hills with a Bachelors Degree in Communications. He was hired by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1996.

All of his life Joe has worked hard for our community. During college he coordinated the youth sports programming, oversaw the adult co-ed sports leagues, and served as the day, summer, and winter camp director at the Bogdanovich Park Recreation Center. In 1997, Joe completed his training at the Los Angeles Police Academy and has since worked patrol and administrative assignments including the Office of Chief of Police, West Traffic Division, and Emergency Operations Division. He is currently assigned to the Harbor Area as a Senior Lead Officer. Joe is on the front lines, keeping our neighborhoods safe.

As an active member of our community, Joe currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor, on the San Pedro YWCA's Racial Justice Committee, and is active with Mary Star of the Sea Parish and various Italian American organizations. He has also been appointed to the advisory council for the Los Angeles Watts Summer Games.

At work serving our community, Joe created the Department's first Teen Community Police Advisory Board, an organization that works with teens to problem solve and break the barriers between police and teenagers. Joe's concept of bringing youths' perspectives to problem solving with the police department will be implemented Citywide in the summer of 2011.

Recognizing the link between crime and economic development, Joe has been active in establishing and promoting a website for job seekers in the greater Port of Los Angeles area. He also serves on the Green Advisory Committee of the California Conservation Corps where he advocates for the creation of green jobs and maritime high technology jobs in the Harbor Area.

Joe and his wife, Geralyn, an educator in the district, are raising their two children, and their dog, Rocco, in San Pedro.