Gates Orders Homeless to Leave

Police Chief Daryl Gates, calling homeless encampments in Los Angeles “intolerable,” today said people living in the Skid Row streets have seven days to clear out or they will be arrested. Officers will hand out vouchers for lodging in shelters until the deadline arrives, Gates said.

Officers patrolling the downtown area bounded by Third, Seventh, Alameda and Main streets began posting signs Wednesday night warning that the municipal codes prohibiting establishing residences on public sidewalks will be enforced. “We have a problem in that area that has become intolerable,” Gates said. “The problem has created crime and fear . . . that is an unhealthy situation in the inner city.”