Councilmember Arleen Rojas

Editor’s Note: At The Carson Compass, we believe leadership is about more than policy—it’s about people.

Our Leadership Profile Series introduces the individuals shaping Carson’s future, highlighting their stories, values, and vision. Through these conversations, we invite you to understand what drives them and how they see our city evolving.

By bringing these perspectives forward, we aim to strengthen the connection between our community and those who lead it—while celebrating what makes Carson truly special.

Carson, CA — When Arleen Rojas talks about her transition from policing to public office, she frames it as a shift in how she solves problems, not whether she solves them.

“I’ve been a police officer for the city of Los Angeles for 35 years. I just recently retired a couple of months ago from the LAPD,” Rojas said, describing the professional foundation that shaped her approach to public service.

Now serving on the Carson City Council, Rojas said the move from law enforcement to local government has allowed her to focus more directly on community-level concerns.

“When I was a police officer, I dealt with people who were in trauma so there was a lot of problem solving,” she said. “Helping the people with the city is more like helping my neighbors and people that I know and live around with, grew up with, went to school with.”

Rojas, who has served as an elected official in Carson for several years, said the work is “much more satisfying” because it allows her to address everyday concerns that impact residents’ quality of life.

Her tenure on the council has coincided with what she describes as a period of rapid transformation in Carson.

Central to that shift, she said, is a demand from residents for transparency and visible progress.

“Transparency,” Rojas said when asked what constituents most want from their local government. “People want to know what’s going on.”

That demand, she said, has been especially pronounced since 2021, when new leadership and administrative changes began reshaping the city’s direction.

Residents, she added, were frustrated by long-vacant properties and stalled development.

“They talked about how the city of Carson has been stagnant, saying ‘Look at that big land, what’s going to happen to that building?’” Rojas said.

In response, she said the city has accelerated development efforts, particularly along major corridors.

Rojas pointed to visible construction activity as a sign of progress.

“When you get off the 405 freeway, there’s construction. Buildings are going up,” she said. “The 157 acres that were vacant, you see construction going on. And what I notice is the community is not complaining.”

Instead, she said, residents are expressing relief.

“They’re saying, ‘Finally, finally, they’re doing something,’” Rojas said.

Rojas also credited internal city changes for speeding up development timelines, including efforts to reduce reliance on county processes that slowed approvals for businesses.

“I said, ‘Why is it taking this restaurant so long to open up?’” she recalled. “They said, ‘Because the county is taking too long.’ And I said, ‘Are you kidding? We’re going to be waiting forever.’”

She said the city’s decision to bring in outside engineering and permitting support helped move projects forward more quickly, leading to new businesses opening and construction advancing.

Beyond economic development, public safety remains a central focus for Rojas, an area where her law enforcement experience continues to shape policy priorities.

She has worked to revive the city’s “Safety First Act Now” initiative, which aims to strengthen collaboration between residents and law enforcement.

“It was a way for the community and the police to work together, be the eyes and ears and help each other,” Rojas said.

Through town halls and outreach, she said the city has increased transparency around crime trends and encouraged residents to take a more active role.

“We let everybody know about all the crimes that are going on in the city,” she said. “We ask all the block captains to get involved.”

Rojas has also taken a hands-on approach to community engagement, organizing school-based panels that address issues such as drug use, gang activity and cyberbullying.

“We go to the schools. If it’s a fentanyl problem, we’ll go to that school and we will talk about fentanyl,” she said.

Her involvement has extended beyond policy discussions.

Even after retiring from active duty, Rojas has accompanied local sheriff’s deputies in the field, including participating in enforcement efforts targeting illegal street takeovers.

“I retired, not wanting to do patrol, and now I’m sitting in a passenger seat,” she said, recalling one incident where she observed the use of spike strips for the first time in her career.

Rojas also highlighted the city’s use of technology, including surveillance cameras and exploratory drone programs, as tools to enhance public safety.

While cost remains a barrier, she said expanding those capabilities is a goal.

“Dream big. We’re going to dream big,” she said.

Looking ahead, Rojas emphasized the urgency of preparing Carson for major international events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“We have all these big events and we already feel like we’re behind the eight ball, even though we’re moving really fast,” she said.

Outside of her official duties, Rojas said she remains deeply connected to the community through more personal initiatives, including teaching dance classes for seniors.

“I love to dance. I teach salsa, bachata and ballroom to seniors in the community,” she said.

For Rojas, those efforts reflect a broader philosophy of service rooted in connection and accessibility.

“We’ll come to you,” she said, describing her outreach approach. “Because we can’t get everyone to get in their car and drive to us.”

As Carson continues to evolve, Rojas said her focus remains on ensuring residents not only see change, but feel included in shaping it.