A few hours before the reopening of the public, the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, reversed the course on the controversial decision, the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, saying that the control points blocking the area would remain in place.
The announcement of the 11th hour of Bass intervened after the residents of the devastated coastal enclave expressed a general fury about the reopening, which was to take effect on Sunday at 8 am.
Bass had previously said that the California National Guard, which had lacked control points preventing non-residents from access to the community, withdrew.
The mayor had characterized this announcement, which was made during a Friday afternoon webinar for residents, as an important development in the recovery process. But many residents argued that it was too early to allow wide access to the region, expressing concerns about toxic pollution, public security and looting.
The member of the municipal council Traci Park, who represents the region, and Steve Soboroff, a civic chief appointed by bass two weeks ago to direct the effort to recover the city’s forest, said they thought that The reopening was premature.
Less than 30 hours later, Bass announced that it reversed the course. She declared on Saturday before 8 p.m. on Saturday that the checkpoints would remain in place with the help of Governor Gavin Newsom, who had offered the City additional resources for applying the law. The presence of the Los Angeles Police Department alongside the National Guard at the control points had contributed to pressure on the resources of the department throughout the city, the department remaining on a tactical alert since the devastating fire storm broke out the January 7, city leaders said at the Friday meeting.
The LAPD will transfer responsibility for access to the palisades to California Highway Patrol and the National Guard from Monday, which will allow the LAPD to increase the service throughout the city, according to the mayor’s office.
“I am grateful to Governor Newsom for his continuous partnership when we respond to this unprecedented disaster,” Bass said in a statement. “We continue to adapt in real time to this dynamic situation. This plan ensures the palisades and facilitates pressure on the LAPD, whose capacity to respond through the was affected for almost a month. My priority continues to rebuild palisades as quickly and safely as possible. »»
Newsom promised his support in a press release, saying: “To the survivors of these fires: we have their backs, the state will be here at each stage of your community.”
Park, the member of the council who reprimanded the Bass plan during the Friday webinar with residents, praised the decision to maintain the closures in place, saying that it was grateful that the mayor and the governor had listened to the concerns expressed by residents.
Park said she had contacted the governor to keep the national guard in place and have spoken with Newsom of the issue.
“On the basis of these conversations, I developed a written plan and sent one letter by e-mail to the mayor of Basse and the police chief renewing my request that this area remains closed for various reasons, and suggest that we put In work, another plan, “said Park. “I am therefore very, very happy that it was received and that they were able to respond and modify the decision.”
The mayor’s office did not respond immediately when they were asked how long the checkpoints would remain in place.
“I think it’s a conversation in progress,” said Park when asked. “We must have realistic expectations, understanding that many agencies lack resources, but we must also understand the scope of this disaster and the urgent need to quickly and effectively obtain dangerous materials and these toxic rubble from the soil and the ‘exterior of the area. “”
