City Sues County Over Jail Proposal
The city of Los Angeles sued the county Wednesday, seeking to block a proposed expansion of the downtown Men’s Central Jail. The city contends the plan would create an unfair burden on East Los Angeles residents living near the facility.
The Superior Court suit, filed by Deputy City Atty. William Childs, seeks to suspend all activity on the project until a new environmental impact report is conducted and provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act are met.
The city also contends the expansion contradicts the county’s master jail plan, which calls for decentralization of the jail population through construction of 12 facilities throughout the county.
Sheriff’s Department officials have said a legal challenge could kill the project, because if construction does not start by Sept. 1, 1990, the county would have to return $235 million in state bonds.
City Councilwoman Gloria Molina has complained that communities near the jail, northeast of downtown, have become a “dumping ground” for jails and prisons fought off by residents of more affluent areas of the county.
County officials could not be reached for comment.
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