RESIDENTS FEAR FALLOUT FROM PROTEST RESPONSE.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Calling them ``damn, damn lies,'' a visibly angry Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan rejected claims Thursday that he has ignored poorer areas of the city in planning the Democratic National Convention.

Riordan's voice rose and trembled when he was told that residents of the South Park and Pico-Union area complained they would be treated better if they lived in Bel-Air or Brentwood, where the mayor lives.

``That's not true,'' Riordan said during a City Hall news conference. ``I spend more time in economically disadvantaged areas than I do in Brentwood or Bel-Air. Some of my strongest supporters live there.

``They are the ones who recognize what we've done. We've made the streets safer. They can walk the streets safely, they can go to parks safely and I'm proud of what I've done in that area and other economically disadvantaged areas. For them to suggest we care more for people in Brentwood or Bel-Air is a damn, damn lie.''

Riordan was reacting to claims made earlier Thursday by the Figueroa Corridor Coalition for Economic Justice, which held a news conference to voice concerns of people who live across from Staples Center, where the convention will be held Aug. 14-17.

Bert Saavedra of the Pico-Union/Westlake Cluster Network said she was offended by Riordan's remarks.

``All the outreach they were doing was to businesses and not to residents,'' Saavedra said. ``It was us who learned about it and forced the city to meet with block captains and get the word out. It has been us who have put out leaflets and fliers to let people know what is going on.''

``In some ways, I would expect his reaction because the sensitivity to residents is not there,'' Saavedra said.

Leroy Romero, a 32-year resident of the area, agreed. ``I feel like we have been left in the dark.''

Riordan, however, said specially formed teams of city officials have been meeting with block captains about the plans for the convention, and those efforts will be stepped up.

Sandra McNeill, an organizer of the group, said residents are especially concerned about police questioning them about their immigration status and use of tear gas or other chemicals to control crowds.

Riordan said residents are being supplied with identification to get them past police lines, and no one will be asked about their immigration status.

``We will not ask anyone about if they are in the country legally,'' Riordan said. ``What we want to do is use this convention to showcase the city, not divide it.''

Riordan said he was suspicious of groups such as the Figueora Corridor Coalition and its agenda. ``It sounds like they are professionals.''

On other convention matters, Riordan said he plans to talk with Philadelphia officials who hosted the Republican National Convention in search of tips for Los Angeles.

``I saw volunteers on Rollerblades and they were all smiling and helpful,'' Riordan said. ``I want us to tell our volunteers to smile and welcome people to the city.''

The mayor said he was also impressed with the restraint shown by Philadelphia police in the face of sometimes-raucous demonstrations.

In addition, Riordan said he encourages downtown businesses to remain open if they can arrange work schedules to avoid traffic. ``If they can't go to staggered hours, they should just send everyone on vacation,'' he said.

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Photo: Residents and their children who live in an apartment building in the 800 block of West Olympic Boulevard fear the fallout from tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer