With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
LA City Council Banned Camping Near Schools. Now, How Will It Be Enforced?
A homless encampent outside a golf course in Venice.
(
Chava Sanchez
/
LAist
)
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles City Council expanded its ban on camping in public spaces to include anywhere within 500 feet of schools and daycares. But it's still unclear how the ban will be enforced.
Council President Nury Martinez told LAist that outreach to unhoused people and enforcement of the ban, under municipal code 41.18, will depend on each councilmember.
“There’s those of us who of course support 41.18 and those who do not," she said, "and so outreach teams are basically going to be available to our districts. But if you don’t want to enforce 41.18 in your district, that’s completely up to the councilmember.”
L.A. Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has expressed support for the ban. But Nicolle Fefferman, co-founder of a Facebook group called Parents Supporting Teachers — with more than 27,000 members — is concerned the ban will hurt students who are unhoused.
Support for LAist comes from
“In addition, I’m really worried, you know, like, what is the plan to enforce this ban? Who is supposed to be enforcing it? And is that going to fall on students or school administration?" she asked.
The LAPD didn't immediately respond to questions about how and to what extent the expanded anti-camping ban will be enforced.
The City Council voted 11-3 to expand the ban. Councilmembers Nithya Raman (District 4), Marqueece Harris-Dawson (District 8), and Mike Bonin (District 11) voted no.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence. -
This is the one time you can do this legally! -
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.” -
While working for the county, the DA’s office alleges that 13 employees fraudulently filed for unemployment, claiming to earn less than $600 a week.
Best of LAist