L.A. River Action Update from CD13
Wednesday and Thursday of this week (11/17/2006) over 200 cubic yards of debris was hauled away from the River between Fletcher Drive and the Tyburn Water pipe. The Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and L.A. city Lot Clearing division worked hand in hand to accomplish this. The waste was unbelievable and only validates for me, the fact this was the right thing to do.
There were 43 professionals involved Wednesday morning made up of: ACE, LAPD, County Social Services, County Mental Health Services, Social Security Administration, LAFD swift water rescue, LAHSA, LA lot clearing Division, City Housing Department, Park Rangers, and this Office. Of the 20 or so individuals who live in the River there at any given time, 7 had not vacated in advance of the action date. Of those 7, 3 individuals accepted assistance, including the ability to keep their dogs with them!
We thank the Los AngelesCounty for making exceptions for emergency shelter availability. A few people balked and stayed behind.
All parties are determined to keep the islands free of encampments. The LAPD will monitor this daily and has stepped up, and gone above and beyond as have all agencies involved in this effort have.
A few of our next steps :
- LAPD and Park Rangers will prevent future encampments.
- Our Office, Housing, County, and LAHSA will convene next week to discuss interim housing for those in emergency shelter.
- LAHSA to continue outreach along the River.
- River Management and Maintenance Task force will meet again in January and continue progressing on this and other issues.
A deep, heartfelt thank you was expressed to everyone involved.
Mitch O'Farrell
District Director of Constituent Services
Office of L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti