Community Meets with Panel of Law Enforcement and City Officials

By DAYNA DRUM | Reporter

An assortment of law enforcement, city officials and residents gathered at the Palisades Branch Library to discuss the issue of homelessness in the Palisades on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 17.

The Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness (PPTFH) hosted the meeting to allow community members to hear from a panel of city officials and ask them questions. PPTFH member Doug McCormick began the meeting with an update on fundraising efforts, saying $160,000 had been raised so far.

Next, the Rev. Lester Mackenzie from St. Matthew’s Church presented a $25,000 donation on behalf of the church to Chris Miller of Ocean Park Community Center (OPCC).

Each member of the panel, representing a different department or organization, then gave updates on what work has been done concerning the homeless population in the Palisades.

First to speak, LAFD Assistant Chief Patrick Butler gave a recap on the two fires that occurred in the Via de las Olas bluffs. Butler also said that Engine 69, which was reallocated in 2011, might be back in the Palisades next spring. The news was met with applause and cheers from the resident audience.

District Director Debbie Dyner Harris from Councilmember Mike Bonin’s office assured attendees of the importance of the problem to the councilmember. She said they were happy with the immediate action that was taken after the fires.

“There is movement forward,” Harris said.

LAPD and Deputy City Attorney Veronica de la Cruz discussed the enforcement phase and conviction process.

Caltrans representative Gustavo Núñez gave a recap of the clean-up of Alfred Delagarza’s encampment. Delagarza, known as “The Beast,” had resided there for several years. Núñez said their current priority is cleaning out drainage, but they will get back to doing encampment clean-ups by early January.

He asked residents to be patient and reminded them that resources are low.

“We’ll try to get there as soon as we can,” Núñez said.

Representatives from California Highway Patrol and the State Parks also gave brief updates and explained their role in the Task Force.

Residents were then allowed to ask the panel any questions they had. The first complaint heard was regarding the lack of efficiency of the LAPD’s non-emergency number. Sharon Shapiro from Councilmember Bonin’s assured the residents that the councilmember was working to make the operating system better, but it is a long process.

Highlands resident Matthew Reiser informed the panel that he had gathered several volunteers and had been cleaning several areas in the Bluffs. Reiser previously wrote about his efforts in a letter to the editor in the Palisadian-Post. He also noted how much trash they had picked up and expressed frustration at what he called “a lack of action.”

LAPD Senior Lead Officer Michael Moore assured Reiser that he was making rounds in that area and several arrests had been made.

Another resident asked De La Cruz if homeless individuals that receive federal funding could be introduced into a conservatorship. The deputy city attorney conceded that this was a federal issue.

Other residents asked about when to call 911 and the safety of certain homeless individuals. Officer Moore reminded residents to always call police first before confronting the homeless and to always be cautious.