The City’s Answers : ‘That Unfortunate Situation Should Be Remedied by the Time This Is Printed’

Since Feb. 20, the Department of Public Works has received numerous calls from residents and businesses in the Pico-Union/Westlake area regarding a cleanup of the Alvarado Terrace alley and similar alleys. Although the alley described by the Dunns has been inspected and cleaned in 1992, including a major public and private property cleanup by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, the problem persists. Recent legislative developments and the efforts of several city departments will provide a speedier response in the future.

When alleys require cleaning but do not have inhabitants--be they drug users, the homeless, or anyone else--we can clean it relatively simply, constrained only by budget and staff limitations. When there are inhabitants who must be moved to accomplish the cleaning, a more elaborate procedure involving other city agencies and legal requirements sets in.

Here is the process the city has used to clean the streets and alleys when people must be moved to do so, according to guidelines issued by the city attorney’s office to comply with legal restrictions:

- Upon request from the police, a City Council office or citizens, the Bureau of Street Maintenance’s Street Use Inspection Division investigates, notifying the Homeless Coordinating Office. This agency conducts a survey to determine what resources can be provided, prepares an authorization to clean streets and alleys and forwards it to the appropriate City Council office.

- Authorization approval is forwarded to the Human Services Divison of the Community Development Department.

- The alley is posted to advise of a scheduled cleaning. Action requires 24- to 48-hour notice.

- Actual cleaning is coordinated with the LAPD and the Street Maintenance Division.

This process can take 10 weeks. In extremely chronic locations, where the alley is not required for garage and commercial use, temporary or permanent alley closures can be accomplished, but closures require petitions, public hearings, assumption of costs by residents and, ultimately, City Council approval.

Legislation to expedite cleanups where people must be moved was proposed by Councilman Hernandez and adopted by the City Council in November. Public Works, the Council office and the LAPD will be meeting soon to implement speedier and more coordinated solutions to the problems like that encountered at Alvarado Terrace. Among other things, the legislation will enable much faster clearances in cases where illegal activity, such as drug dealing, is present.

The Department of Public Works views the condition of Los Angeles’ alleys as one of its highest priorities, and understands the frustration of those homeowners and residents negatively impacted by illegal dumping, encampments and drug trafficking.

And while Public Works, like many city departments, often finds its ability to provide service limited by budget cuts and hiring freezes, our employees are dedicated to working with both residents and businesses to attack this serious problem in innovative ways. We are particularly sorry in this case that the Dunns somehow did not make contact with a Public Works employee who could assist them to understand and obtain our service. That unfortunate situation should be remedied by the time this is printed.

Editors’ note: The Los Angeles Police Department is reviewing the facts of the Dunn’s problem and will respond directly to them when the review is completed, according to a spokesman.