Residents, LAPD Concerned As Homeless Continue To Move Into Local Parks
NORTH HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Residents across the Southland are becoming frustrated as the number of homeless people camping out at local parks continues to grow.
A recent count found that homelessness has jumped 12 percent in the city and LA county over the last two years, resulting in the number of encampments increasing.
The growing number of homeless people in parks has triggered concern among local residents, who say they are worried about their children playing at parks such as North Hollywood Park.
"They're smoking drugs there, I can small it all the time," resident Florencia Fuentes said. "You always have to be watching, because you don't know what to expect."
Police can attest to the drug usage, having seen the evidence left behind in local parks.
"A lot more people (are) hanging out loitering, daytime, nighttime, drinking alcohol, (there are) narcotics complaints," LAPD Senior Lead Officer John Catalano said. "We're seeing discarded needles from drug use in the area."
Catalano says the department is trying to address complaints from residents around the park and reduce crime by getting homeless off the streets before citing or arresting them.
"We're doing some proactive police work, we're trying to clean it up, but we're also doing a lot of the social work in trying to get them placement and help," Catalano said.
A number of homeless people report that they would rather stay at the park than some other options.
A city committee passed an ordinance on Monday, prohibiting people from leaving bulky items, including tents, sofas and mattresses at parks. The ordinance still requires approval from the full council, as well as from Mayor Garcetti.
