Community members have expressed concern about the challenges around clearing homeless encampments large and small. We would like to share this information about the process provided by LAPD Officer Carol Sawarmura:
“Enforcement” has been done during the weekly Clean-Ups regarding 48.11 L.A.M.C.
LAPD cannot physically handcuff and remove a person from the sidewalk or encampment unless a serious crime and/or Warrant has been issued for them. Merely blocking a sidewalk first requires educating the individual of the violation, attempt to gain voluntary compliance, as well as : 1. A verbal Warning (done on Bodyworn Video); 2. If first Citation it is an ACE Citation which is an Administrative Warning Citation; 3. A Misdemeanor Citation can be given after Steps 1 & 2 have been done and documented. The violation of 48.11 L.A.M.C. cannot be enforced by physical arrest and transporting for booking.
Property cannot be touched by LAPD personnel, nor taken. The property must be ONLY touched and seized during a City-Entity sponsored Clean-Up (LASAN) which area(s) were specifically zoned for such. That is CD2 and LAPD following legal guidelines given to us by the City Attorney Office, Police Commission and entire City Council majority vote agreement.
Sign Enforcement is handled by Department of Transportation. DOT is the primary enforcement entity for any “No Parking Overnight ” or, license registration tags and other violation(s) that are not Moving Violations on a public highway. An LAPD Officer can use discretionary enforcement allotted to them for the Parking and Vehicle violations; however, this is not an LAPD responsibility.
Hope this information helps … wish it was just an “enforceable” quick result and fix.
Officer Carol Sawamura