What is 41.18? Simply put, it's an ordincance that makes certain locations off limits to overnight camping on streets and sidewalks (the public right of way).
In an email from our Field Deputy to one of our organizers, it became clear that just because a motion that includes a list of 17 sites passed City Council for sign installation and enforcement, there is still work to be done! The area of importance to us in Melrose Village is the area around 911 N Formosa Ave that would be included in the ordinances protections. This includes Poinsettia Park and the Willoughby/La Brea encampment areas.
Here's the email with highlighted parts we feel are of main importance:
"As you know we are 2 weeks into the transition and as you can imagine there are alot of moving parts around this issue. This is my current understanding of where we are relative to 41:18 rollout and Care+.
1. The signage for 41:18 has not commenced yet as they have not been fabricated. In addition, the councilwoman wants to make sure there are housing options for PEH before authorizing district wide installations. What this means is that she will look at each location on a case by case basis to determine whether or not to install the signs based on the history and conditions of those encampments. We just met yesterday and came to this plan of action. Staff is developing criteria around this process to help her make those determinations. Councilwoman Yaroslavsky is in the process of hiring 3-5 staffers whose sole responsibility will be to work on the homelessness issue. She will be relying heavily on this team to design and implement her strategy to address issues surrounding the unhoused.
2. As for Care+ cleanups, those will be taken over and scheduled by the new team. In the interim I have populated the list through mid January and have been given authority to continue scheduling some locations. Jarrett (Field Deputy), George (Deputy District Director) and Fernando (Deputy Chief of Staff for District Operations) will be having a meeting this morning to discuss what locations we will schedule through February. I have not heard that Care+ was going to be discontinued, but I did hear that the Mayor was not in favor of adding any more new 41:18 locations. The ones that were submitted and approved under CM Koretz would be "grandfathered" in. "
I have to echo the sentiments of others who are discussing this in detail and trying to formulate options for us:
"Since the community worked very hard to get the areas protected under 41.18 it appears from how I interpret this that my biggest fear is being realized. I don’t know what is implied by 'looking at each approved location on a case by case basis to determine whether or not to install the sign based on the history and conditions of those encampments…'. As I feared, we luckily got the motion approved by all but two council people under CM Koretz, but if CM Yaroslavsky can or will not follow through with the requisite enforcement measures, all of our efforts and those of the 16 other locations in her district will be compromised." (some text edited for clarity).
Clearly it is our new Councilmembers desire to live up to campaign commitments to not push people living in encampments around without adequate housing. But what happens when those people refuse housing?
If you feel strongly about this issue, please write to our Field Deputy and voice your concerns at this address:
Joaquin Macias
Senior Deputy
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, Council District 5
200 North Spring St., Room 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Tel: 213 473-7005
Email: joaquin.macias@lacity.org