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.
LA City Council Votes to Enforce Anti-Camping Ordinance in Westside, parts of NoHo
A worker with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and activists with Services Not Sweeps help a person experiencing homelessness move a cart with possessions so they are not removed as Los Angeles City Bureau of Sanitation workers conduct a cleanup sweep of a homeless encampment in the Harbor City in January.
(
Patrick T. Fallon
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
The City Council decided Wednesday to enforce its anti-camping law — known as the "41.18 Ordinance" — in the Westside of Los Angeles and to five zones in North Hollywood. That means no sleeping, sitting, and placing personal property within 500 feet of public spaces, including schools and daycares, according to the ordinance.
Why it matters
The decision comes after the election of Traci Park, who represents the 11th district. Her predecessor, Mike Bonin, voted against the ordinance after it was amended last year to expand the anti-camping ordinance to schools and daycares.
Here are the areas where the ordinance will be enforced in the Westside:
- Linnie Canal Park
- Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library
- Venice Beach Recreation Center and Boardwalk
- Bill Rosendahl Del Rey Park
- Westchester Recreation Center and Park
- Venice A Bridge Home
- Iowa Safe Parking
- Super 8 Homekey
- Extended Stay Homekey
The ordinance will also apply to five zones in North Hollywood, which are:
- Riverside Drive and 134 Freeway Underpass
- North Hollywood Red/Orange Line Station Active Railway
- North and South Weddington Park Public Park
- Vineland Avenue and 134 Freeway Underpass
- Tujunga Avenue and 101 Freeway Underpass
The vote
The council voted 9 to 4, with councilmembers Nithya Raman, Katy Yaroslavsky, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Hugo Soto-Martinez in opposition.
Support for LAist comes from
At the meeting, Yaroslavsky, who represents the fifth district, expressed concerns in expanding the ordinance.
"It just blows up encampments and spreads people around. Homelessness has gotten worse in my district. And I don't think that if we're forcing 41.18 without credible offers of housing and services, we're doing what's right," she said.
The majority of public comment supported the ordinance, with voices coming mainly from the Westside of Los Angeles, expressing their safety concerns about seeing encampments pop up. Park reassured the council that her district has the resources to help unhoused residents get off the streets.
"We do have the beds available. We have the resources, and this is something that our community has asked for," Park said.
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
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
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.
Best of LAist