To Expand Van Nuys Service : Council OKs Money for 24-Hour Alcoholic Center

The Los Angeles City Council Friday sent to Mayor Tom Bradley for his expected approval a $45,000 proposed expenditure to keep open around the clock a “drop-in center” for alcoholics in Van Nuys.

The action was requested by Councilman Ernani Bernardi, who for years has been dogged by complaints of drunks sleeping in parks and doorways of businesses in his Van Nuys district.

The funds will be used to expand operations of the Community Alcoholism Rehabilitation and Educational Services center, commonly known as CARES, which now operates eight hours a day.

Since 1982, the center at 6841 Lennox Ave. has provided alcoholics with food, clothing, a place to rest and take a shower, and other assistance, including referrals to a neighboring detoxification center.

Sleep in Park, Doorways

“When we close at 4:30 p.m., the homeless people just go back on the streets where they sleep in the park and doorways of businesses,” said Carol Nottley, who runs the program.

Nottley said there is no plan to turn the center into a permanent shelter for drunks, although she said that they could stay there for three days while awaiting admission to a detoxification program.

Bernardi had no problem winning unanimous approval for the expenditure because he provided the funds from his office budget. Council members each receive $481,500 a year for office expenses, principally for their staff.

Alcoholics congregate in Van Nuys because the community has the only jail in the Valley that meets the legal requirements for handling drunks. Those arrested throughout the Valley are taken by police to the Van Nuys station, held a few hours, then released.

People in Progress, the organization that runs the CARES center, also operates the “boozer cruiser,” a station wagon that picks up drunks off the street and takes them to the drop-in center. None of the added funds will be used to expand operations of the vehicle, which now runs eight hours a day.