Council Closes Park From Dusk to Dawn
In an effort to stop teenagers from congregating at Bell Canyon Park at night, the Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to close the park from dusk until dawn.
The park, situated at the edge of the city near the county line, had become a meeting spot for teens and young adults who often left beer containers and other litter behind each Friday and Saturday night, said Eric Rose, field deputy for Councilwoman Laura Chick, who sponsored the measure.
Law enforcement has been able to cite teens for violation of a citywide 10 p.m. curfew, but that did little to stop legal adults from staying.
“There were no enforceable laws on the books that allowed the Police Department and park rangers to keep it clear of people at night,” Rose said. “They could go in and ask people to leave, but they had no code behind them.”
The signs indicating park hours are expected to be put up in about six weeks, Rose said.
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