City May Help Pay for Shooting Damage

Passage of two motions scheduled to go before the City Council Wednesday would help residents of the North Hollywood neighborhood scarred by the Feb. 28 bank shootout avoid “bureaucratic hell,” in the words of Councilman Joel Wachs.

One proposal, presented by Wachs, urges the city attorney to speed the processing of damage claims filed by people whose businesses, homes, cars or personal property was damaged in the shootout.

“Can you imagine what it’s like to come back home and find your house or car riddled with bullets and then have to wait until your claim is processed through ‘bureaucratic hell’ ”? the motion reads. “A city with compassion shouldn’t force innocent people to hire attorneys and jump through legal hoops to collect on legitimate claims.”

Gail Koretz, a Wachs deputy working on the shooting damage issue, said the city attorney has received just one formal damage claim. But Wachs’ motion is aimed at a surge of claims that is expected to hit once residents have checked with their insurance companies.

Council approval would effectively guarantee city payment of all legitimate claims, Koretz added.

The other motion, presented by Councilman Rudy Svorinich on behalf of Councilman Richard Alarcon, instructs the city Housing Department to expand the Handyworker Program to include all homes affected by the shootout, regardless of age, income or ownership of residents.

It requires the department to report to the council’s Housing and Community Redevelopment Committee within one week on additional steps residents can take to rebuild with public funds. It also waives building permit fees for shooting-damaged properties.

“Since a majority of the residents in the area are of low/moderate incomes, monetary constraints may result in unrepaired homes--a constant reminder of the frightening incident that could rob residents of their peace of mind and cause psychological distress,” the motion says.