For over two decades, Ferris Wehbe has dedicated his life to tackling the tough issues that affect our quality of life in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles' 4th district. Crime prevention and safety, protecting our most vulnerable citizens, kids and seniors, and ensuring that neighborhoods receive their fair share of funds for city services have all been high priorities for Ferris.

In 1988, drug dealers, gangs and prostitutes had overrun his neighborhood. Ferris responded by co-founding the Hollywood Sentinels Neighborhood Watch program. For over 6 years, Ferris led his mighty band of street soldiers on a nightly patrol of the area until local families had taken back their streets. Ferris' efforts at neighborhood crime control earned national attention and serve as an example for neighborhood empowerment in Los Angeles citywide. His efforts have dramatically diminished gang activity in Hollywood. The LAPD attributes many of Ferris' efforts to a 60% reduction in youth related local crime. Furthermore, Ferris raised over $200,000 to replace outdated LAPD computers, equipment for the LAPD Bike Patrol and other vital equipment needed to protect our neighborhoods. He is currently an advisor for the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council.

Frustrated by the profound lack accountability for problems in local neighborhoods, Ferris served as President of Hollywood VOTE, a group formed to explore the feasibility of forming an independent City of Hollywood. Hollywood VOTE collected 38,000 signatures to put the issue to the voters on the 2002 ballot. Ferris truly believes there is great room for improvement with the new administration in City Hall.

A long-standing promoter of school reform before it became politically popular, Ferris and his family founded and own the acclaimed Hollywood Schoolhouse, which serves grades K-8 and is a national model for creative learning, and he also is on the Board of Trustees of the Pacific Hills School. Ferris has spearheaded several programs that elevate awareness and invest in our children. As a founding member of the Board of Governors of the Hollywood Youth Charities, Ferris was instrumental in raising over $300,000 for youth activities to better occupy their time. He launched the Hollywood Youth Collaborative that provides greater services and after-school activities for children. Additionally, as the former president of the Hollywood Police Activities League, Ferris expanded the membership from 25 to an impressive 1,300 children with four full-time officers in six community locations. The League is an interactive program of police officers working as mentors and friends to engage youth rather than alienate them.

Ferris and Debbie, his wife, reside in Hollywood where they have raised their four children: Ethan, Eric, Laila, and Nadia. Since 1987, they have together operated F&D Properties, developing Real Estate in the Hollywood Area. Ferris also serves as the Senior Assistant Governor for special projects for Rotary District 5280 and is a founding member and one of the three captains that worked on creating the Media District. Ferris' latest involvement is the Los Angeles Beirut Sister City organization where he serves as the President and is one of the founding members.
 

Making our community safe

• Established the Hollywood Sentinels Neighborhood Watch program that took our streets back from drug dealers, gangs and prostitutes.
• Raised over $200,000 to replace outdated LAPD computers, fund bike patrols and provide resources to protect our neighborhoods.

Better schools for our children

• Owner of the Hollywood Little Red School House, a highly-acclaimed K-8 school that has served our community for over 55 years.
• As a Founding Member, was instrumental in raising over $300,000 for Hollywood Youth Charities.
• Launched the Hollywood Youth Collaborative to provide after-school activities for our children.
• As president, grew the Hollywood Police Activities League from 25 to over 1,300 members with 4 full-time officers in 6 locations.

A better community

• The Hollywood Beautification Team, a highly acclaimed program that is cleaning up our streets and beautifying neighborhoods across Los Angeles, was conceived in Ferris's own living room.
• Established the Community Education Garden to teach children about the environment, ecology and recycling.
• Served as President of Hollywood VOTE to bring attention to communities in the city that have been routinely neglected by City Hall.
• Founding member of Media Business Improvement District to enhance public parking, security, streetscapes, and neighborhood beautification.

FerrisWehbe.org Photo Gallery:

• Album 1: Ferris' Family and Community Involvement
• Album 2: Rotary Paul Harris Award
• Album 3: Rotary Literacy Project at Blessed Sacrament with Father Mandala and Mrs. Haylock
• More...