Read on Twitter
The L.A. City Council is now taking up a decision on whether to resume comprehensive cleanups outside its "bridge housing" shelter sites.
L.A. City Councilman Joe Buscaino argues that the spot cleanings that have occurred are leaving "junk" such as broken pallets and scrap woods that can house rats.
Buscaino argues the city has misinterpreted health guidance meant to protect homeless person from virus exposure, saying that its comprehensive cleanups do not *clear* encampments but ask people to leave temporarily.
Buscaino says when the shelter plan was introduced, neighborhoods were promised regular, comprehensive cleanings. "We need to follow through on that commitment," he says.
Councilman Mike Bonin says the council didn't move to halt comprehensive cleanups back in March -- it stopped requiring people to take their tents down during the day.
Bonin also counters that cleanups are continuing to happen, although not the way they were supposed to happen under the CARE model unveiled last year.
Bonin says the council decided to follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and "that continues to be the right approach," even if it's politically difficult because it has contributed to bigger encampments on the street.
Councilman Mitch O'Farrell says everyone involved in this debate wants the same thing here. "No one wants to criminalize the homeless," he says.
O'Farrell: We don't want to cause displacement or cause personal items to be destroyed. Could have LAHSA caseworkers at cleanups of areas like the ones that Buscaino showed photos of.
O'Farrell: We're not serving those who are experiencing homelessness at the moment, with neglect, and we're not serving anyone else who needs to use the public right of way either. We're kind of in the business of not serving anyone.
Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson asks sanitation to clear up some confusion: Says their March vote wasn't meant to stop cleaning.
Sanitation says it isn't doing cleanups that require people to leave the area. Duration can be 2-3 hours or the entire day, sanitation says.
Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez says comprehensive sanitizing of the area is very important for unhoused Angelenos and that is not happening.
Rodriguez says disinfecting the area is important for everyone amid COVID-19.
