Spencer Pratt made a bold move by venturing into the heart of his mayoral opponent Nithya Raman’s territory for a campaign event that resonated with hundreds of Los Angeles residents eager to discuss the city’s future.
On Saturday, the former reality TV star, now a determined political aspirant, hosted a meet-and-greet at a supporter’s home in Sherman Oaks. The event attracted locals from the San Fernando Valley, many of whom expressed their frustrations about living amidst an unsettling rise in violent burglaries in recent months.
According to LAPD statistics, this area is the site of 40% of all burglaries across Los Angeles, underscoring the community’s growing concerns about safety.
In the lead-up to the gathering, Pratt launched a scathing critique on public safety, challenging city leaders for allegedly glossing over the realities faced by residents despite claims of declining crime rates.
“It’s easy to say crime is down when you simply stop responding to crimes,” Pratt declared in a post shared on social media, highlighting a disconnect between official statistics and public sentiment.
Speaking to The Post, Pratt emphasized community fears, stating, “All the moms here today do not feel safe.”
”Whether its the streets, whether its just being out. You canât have a functioning city if you donât have public safety.
”Itâs easy to say crime is down when you simply stop responding to crimes.ââ
Los Angeles County residents are unhappier than ever in 2026, according to UCLAâs Quality of Life Survey, with crime and public safety fears leading to record-low levels of satisfaction.
And crime was the on the minds of most residents, who lined up to speak to a patient Pratt about their concerns.
One mother talked about being attacked while shopping with her children. Many others described the growing frustration with homelessness and quality-of-life issues.
The latest Emerson poll ahead of the primary on June 2 found Pratt is now supported of 22% of voters, with Mayor Karen Bass leading on 30% and Nithya Raman on third with 19%.
One of the strongest messages came from Sana Lahar, a Sherman Oaks mother-of-three who has spent 20 years helping save the lives of children as a cardiac perfusionist.
“I wanted him to see the face of a mom with three kids,” Lahar said. “We’re real and we care about the safety of our children and our families and our community.”
Laharâs home was burglarized several years ago, and police took more than an hour to arrive because officers later explained they were severely understaffed.
“I didn’t feel safe in my own home,” she said.
She also explained she was shopping with her children at a grocery store one Sunday morning when a thief attempted to steal her purse and pepper sprayed her.
“I just want to feel safe again,” she said. ‘”That’s simply it.”
Lahar said her concerns are not unique and urged other mothers to speak up about safety concerns affecting families.
“I think him talking directly to mothers really resonates with voters,” she said. “I think it’s important that as mothers we feel heard and seen.”
The frustration extended beyond parents.
Tom Glick said he once campaigned for Nithya Raman because he believed her to be a fresh outsider ready to shake up City Hall.
Now, he says she became exactly what she promised not to be.
“As soon as she ran, she forgot about the people in the community that campaigned for her.”
He criticized Raman’s handling of public safety and policing issues.
“I do not think Nithya Raman takes public safety seriously,” the resident said.
Public safety has become a central focus of Pratt’s campaign, a message he’s amplified through a series of powerful online videos. One portrayed him as a superhero cleaning up Los Angeles and taking on the city’s problems.
Jenny Leeser said Pratt’s messages have hit home because he was putting words to frustrations many residents have been carrying quietly for years.
“Because I love the fact that we finally have a candidate who’s speaking the truth and cares for the city,” Leeser said.
When asked what resonated with her most, she answered immediately.
“The truth. Everything,” she said. “Our city has been destroyed.”
When asked what he would focus on first if elected mayor, Pratt repeatedly returned to one answer: public safety.
“Public safety,” he said, describing it as a day-one priority.
The concerns raised Saturday come amid a more complicated citywide backdrop.
Recent LAPD data shows several violent crime categories trending downward across Los Angeles in 2026, though property crime and burglary concerns continue in some neighborhoods.
Sherman Oaks and surrounding areas of the San Fernando Valley have had a string of residential and commercial burglaries.
By the end of the afternoon, the event had become less about a celebrity candidate and more about something many in the room appeared to share: a belief that public safety fears are becoming one of the most powerful forces shaping Los Angeles politics.
âWe need change, our city has suffered way too long,â said Lahar.
