LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Library Response

I appreciate the Palisadian-Post’s coverage in its September 1 edition of the Palisades Library Association’s recent discussions and actions. Kudos to the association for pledging $10,000 toward the important effort by the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness to fund a clinical case worker for the Palisades.

I’d like to clarify and expand on the reference to enforcement of Los Angeles Municipal Code Sec. 41.18 (the so-called “anti-camping” ordinance). As vice-chair of the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils (“WRAC,” a coalition of all 14 neighborhood and community councils on the Westside of Los Angeles, including Pacific Palisades Community Council, or “PPCC”) as well as immediate past PPCC secretary, I’ve been working extensively for the past few years on issues involving regulation of homeless camping, such as Sec. 41.18 and other measures.

Unfortunately, as it now stands, Sec. 41.18 does not provide immediate or guaranteed protection from camping in public areas near parks, beaches and libraries. In those instances, the relevant city councilmember (in our case, CD 11 Councilmember Mike Bonin) must first ask for the City Council to designate particular sites in their district as “sensitive” sites for enforcement under the ordinance provisions.

Although other city councilmembers have already initiated designation of various sites as “sensitive” (thus allowing for enforcement, including in CD 5, another district represented in WRAC), our councilmember has declined to do so, despite express requests from PPCC and other WRAC member councils in CD 11.

Recently, however, at the urging of the LAUSD superintendent, the City Council amended Sec. 41.18 to restrict camping in the public right of way (streets, sidewalks) and on other “public property” within 500 feet of all schools (public and private) and licensed daycare centers in the city—without any required “pre-designation” by the relevant councilmember or City Council.

As the Post reported, this regulation will go into effect on September 18. I am told that LAPD and the city attorney are working on protocols for enforcement (including issues involving the meaning and intended scope of the ordinance, required signage, warnings, citations, and the like), which hopefully can be explained in detail at PPCC’s meeting on September 8 or soon thereafter.

It should also be noted that there is a new motion by Councilmember Joe Buscaino now pending in City Council—supported by PPCC and WRAC—that similarly calls for amendment of Sec. 41.18 to restrict camping in the public right of way near all libraries in the city (i.e., eliminating the requirement for pre-designation of a library as a “sensitive” site).

It is unknown if or when this motion will be heard in council. There is no similar motion with respect to parks and beaches; in those cases, pre-designation by the councilmember and council is still required under Sec. 41.18.

Regardless of what happens with the new motion involving libraries, both Palisades Branch Library and portions of Palisades Recreation Center are clearly located within 500 feet of Corpus Christi School—and likely are also within 500 feet of other schools or daycare centers in the nearby area. The public right of way and other “public property” near our library and recreation center should thus be protected, after September 18, under the amended Sec. 41.18 provisions (as I read them).

It will be important to hear from relevant officials as to the scope of the newly amended ordinance.

Christina Spitz
At-Large Representative-Elect, PPCC