Former Vice President Kamala Harris faced mixed reactions upon her return to Los Angeles, balancing community service with neighborhood discontent.
After serving food to wildfire evacuees and thanking local firefighters, Kamala Harris's arrival stirred contrasting sentiments among her Brentwood neighbors, the New York Post reported.
Kamala Harris returned to her Los Angeles residence on Monday after wildfires displaced thousands. Her first stop was at a World Central Kitchen facility, where she helped serve meals to those affected by the recent natural disaster.
Following her work at the kitchen, Harris visited a county fire station in Altadena. There, she expressed her gratitude to the firefighters battling the ongoing blazes. "We wanted to come out … and just let people know that we see them and that they are cared for," Harris stated, affirming her commitment to the affected community.
This marked Harris's first visit back to Los Angeles since the fires began on January 7, highlighting her interest in local relief efforts during her brief stay.
While some viewed Harris's activities positively, her presence in Brentwood was not without its critics. Several residents expressed frustration over the traffic disruptions caused by the security measures accompanying her visit. "I don’t care that she’s back, except that they block off the road whenever she comes to town," one resident complained about the inconvenience.
Lewis, a real estate investor and neighbor, voiced a harsher criticism. "I’m embarrassed that she lives here, and I’m embarrassed that she represented the United States," he remarked, indicating a deep dissatisfaction with Harris’s political career. He later commented on broader state leadership issues, linking Harris with current officials: “Karen Bass, Gavin Newsom, they’ve destroyed my state. Kamala Harris will do the same. I’d rather she find another state to destroy,” he added.
Despite these criticisms, others in the neighborhood held a more favorable view. Peggy Garrity, a retired lawyer, praised Harris’s presence, saying, "It’s tragic that she’s not in the White House, but it’s a delight to have her as a neighbor."
The Brentwood community, known for its affluence, comprises a political mix of conservatives and progressives. This diversity reflects the varied reactions to Harris’s return. “This neighborhood is a mixed bag. It’s not only super wealthy, and even among the wealthy, there is a mix of progressives and conservatives. Mostly, people find it annoying when they block off Sunset Boulevard,” Garrity explained.
Morlene Keller, an interior designer and another of Harris’s neighbors, expressed a nuanced position: “I wish she were back in Washington, but I’m happy to have her back," highlighting a sentiment of missed potential yet local appreciation.
Meanwhile, another unnamed neighbor suggested a preference for Harris’s withdrawal from public life. "She’s a good neighbor, but maybe she should just go back to the private life," the resident remarked, pointing to a desire for normalcy over political prominence.
Security measures for Harris, involving the Secret Service, are another point of contention for some neighbors who find the protection detail intrusive. These measures often result in significant changes to daily routines, including traffic redirection and enhanced security protocols around Harris’s home.
Harris flew back to Los Angeles on a military aircraft piloted by an all-women crew, underlining the continued high-profile nature of her travel. Despite the controversies and mixed opinions in her neighborhood, Harris hinted at an active future in politics. Refusing to concede her political career, she declared her intentions vaguely but firmly, stating she would not go "quietly into the night."
While Harris has not yet revealed any specific political plans, her actions and statements during this visit suggest her continued engagement in both local issues and broader political discussions moving forward.
