Key takeaways:
– The LA Fire Department reported that homeless people started 54% of fires in 2023.
– LA City Council is investing heavily in homelessness, narrowing the focus on other basic services.
– The Council cut Fire Department funding by $17 million, increasing vulnerability to fires.
– Pacific Palisades major reservoir was under repair during severe fires, drastically limiting the firefighting efforts.
– LA’s no camping laws may help control the situation if reinstated and enforced.
The LA Homeless Fire Crisis
Los Angeles has been witnessing the brutal impact of raging fires with increased frequency. Shockingly, the city’s Fire Department reports that homeless persons were behind a stunning 54% of fires in 2023. A staggering 14,000 fires that year were directly linked to homelessness.
The Pacific Palisades fire, one of the most destructive, may not have been started by a homeless individual. However, its extent and severity can be tied back to the homeless crisis in the city.
Time Allocation in Crisis Management
The handling of the homelessness and fire tandem took a significant amount of the LA City Council’s attention. One Council member shared that she dedicates 80% of her time to manage the homeless crisis. This leaves a mere 20% for other essential concerns taxpayers rightfully deserve attention to, such as water, power, sanitation, safety, security, roads, parks, and firefighting.
Furthermore, if the city’s mayor can freely travel across the globe, we can’t help but question whether the remaining 20% of the time is well utilized.
Budgeting Woes
Shedding light on the financial aspect, the Council approved a whopping $1.3 billion for costs associated with homeless-related expenses in the annual budget. Meanwhile, the same budget downsized the Fire Department’s funding by $17 million. The under-equipped Fire Department was ill-prepared to manage the Pacific Palisades fire.
Reservoir Woes
During the Pacific Palisades fire, the main reservoir was undergoing repair and was ineffectual in providing much-needed water to combat the inferno. This limited the firefighters to only 3 million gallons of water, which was drained on the first night.
The reservoir, under normal circumstances, houses 117 million gallons of water. It was shut down in February for minor cover repairs. Despite the necessity of the repairs, the Department of Water and Power only solicited bids in April, and the contractor selection process did not conclude until November. The total cost of the repair stands at an estimated $130,000, roughly the price of a new luxury car.
The Aftermath
As a result of the inadequate response, the city witnessed the heartrending loss of numerous homes. Pacific Palisades residents estimate that over half of the town’s homes were destroyed, an unfortunate level of destruction the city can’t afford.
City Laws and Policies
One proposed solution to hinder the rise in fires attributed to homelessness is the reinstatement of the enforcement of LA’s camping ban law. The city discontinued enforcing its no camping law following a court ruling, which was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The City Council and mayor have embarked on an ambitious plan to provide permanent housing for all homeless people, regardless of their origin. In addition to the budget, a new county sales tax meant for homeless housing and services is estimated to provide an additional $1.1 billion.
This approach, while commendable, has done little to solve the homeless problem. LA acquired 2,750 housing units at a total cost of close to $1 billion. Despite this, the number of homeless people continues to increase as the word spreads that LA is a good place to live outside.
The City Council appears to use the homeless problem as an excuse to implement its far-left agenda, including rent controls, tenant eviction protections, mansion taxes, free basic income, reparations, sanctuary laws, and free housing. Basic services like firefighting fall at the bottom of the list of priorities, causing a serious imbalance in the welfare of the residents.
In conclusion, the city’s authorities need to review their policies and try a more balanced approach to budget allocation and law enforcement. The rising fires and the consequent damage are a stern reminder of the urgency and the dire need for course correction.