Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Garcetti Vows To Add 5,000 Trash Cans To Our Dirty, Dirty Streets
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced during his annual State of the City address last night that he'd like to add 5,000 more garbage cans to the streets of L.A.This might not be the big news—like Uber and Lyft being allowed at LAX—but it is very practical. Garcetti promised to put 5,000 new trash cans on the streets of L.A., saying that the streets are currently "lined with broken TVs and abandoned couches," the L.A. Times reports.
A recent report indicated that there are only 700 trash cans in the nearly 500 square miles of Los Angeles, resulting in overflowing bins and garbage on the streets. We also learned that only 35 percent of L.A.'s street are cleaned on a regular basis, which might drive you crazy if you get a lot of those pricy street cleaning tickets. When it comes to those abandoned couches and other pieces of furniture, Los Angeles is shelling out $12 million every year to clean the curbs and alleys, and City Hall has thus far been ineffective at enforcing the laws against illegal dumping.
Garcetti's Clean Streets L.A. Initiative was approved last month by City Council, KPCC reports, and will be run by the Public Works Department. Teams would locate problem areas, then form "strike teams" that would clean them up. Streets would also be indexed on a scale of 1 to 3, with 3 ("very dirty") containing over 15 pieces of litter per 100 feet of curb. Assessments will also involve checking for graffiti, checking to ensure that trash receptacles are in good repair and not overflowing and ensuring that trees are in good shape.
Related:
Uber And Lyft Will Finally Be Able To Pick You Up From LAX
Movie Shoots And Street Closures Will Show Up On Waze And Google Maps
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist