LA City Council Eases Rules For Dismantling Homeless Encampments

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — The Los Angeles City Council has made it easier to dismantle homeless encampments that supporters say are popping up around the city.

City News Service says the council voted Tuesday to trim the notice time from 36 to 24 hours before removing personal belongings from sidewalks, parks and beaches. Councilman Gil Cedillo was the only council member to speak against the laws.

"We should have a war on poverty, not on the poor," Cedillo stated.

The rules also will ban sidewalk tents between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The city must store the belongings it seizes for 90 days.

Supporters say the number of homeless encampments in the city has soared, as the result of a 12 percent jump in homelessness in Los Angeles.

Protesters backed councilman Cedillo's sentiment's, saying that the city should spend more money on providing housing for the poor than on removing it.

About a dozen people were escorted from the council chamber after noisily disrupting the meeting.

Councilman Jose Huizar, who serves on the board of the homeless committee, mentioned Tuesday that there may be some amendments to the ordinances in the future.

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