A Los Angeles City Council member pushed to remove 12 specific anti-camping zones in his district, leading to a vote that lifts restrictions in areas such as certain freeway underpasses, overpasses and parks.
The City Council voted 10-3 on Tuesday in favor of lifting anti-camping restrictions at more than a dozen parks and public spaces in Hollywood, Silver Lake and surrounding neighborhoods to offer space for homeless people to camp more permanently.
Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Council Member Hugo Soto-Martinez — representing District 13 — proposed the move earlier this month, arguing that after law enforcement sweeps homeless people out of one neighborhood without offering permanent housing, individuals simply move to a neighboring block or return shortly after.
The designated anti-camping areas had been in place for five years under Section 41.18 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC), which makes it illegal to “obstruct a street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way,” including by sitting, lying, or sleeping as well as placing personal property in these areas.
“Displacing our neighbors from block to block, or in many cases, from district to district, doesn’t help them find housing,” Soto-Martínez said at the City Council meeting Tuesday. “In fact, in most cases, it makes it much harder for us to help them, because they lose their belongings, they get fined, and many times, they are arrested.”
Opponents argued that removing the anti-camping zones will affect homeowners and residents, emphasizing safety concerns for parks or other public places designated for children and families.
Councilwomen Traci Park, Imelda Padilla and Monica Rodriguez cast the sole dissenting votes to maintain the anti-camping restrictions.
“If you don’t want those protections in your district, that’s a decision you can make and explain to your constituents,” said Park, addressing Soto-Martínez. “But I’ve seen what happens when we abandon our public spaces.”
“We have spent billions on homeless housing and services, and our constituents have been incredibly generous,” Park continued. “They have every right to expect something in return.”
Padilla said the homelessness crisis has affected working-class homeowners in her district, emphasizing that they have a right to feel safe and secure in the communities they worked so hard to call home.
Hellbound and Down 