Latest news with #HomelessOutreachServicesTeam
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cleanup operation underway to remove RV encampment in Gardena
The Brief Dozens of RVs are located along the Gardena-West Rancho Dominguez border. For years, residents complained that the influx of trailers led to overcrowding. Cleanup efforts began Wednesday, April 30th. LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials are taking action against a homeless encampment that has been growing in the area for years. The backstory Dozens of RVs are located in the East Gardena-West Rancho Dominguez area in unincorporated LA County with the heaviest concentration along Compton Boulevard between Main Street and South Avalon Boulevard. For years, residents have complained about the influx of trailers leading to overcrowding, and say the surge in the population has increased crimes such as prostitution, drug dealing and burglaries. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST), in coordination with several county agencies, is leading a cleanup and outreach operation in the area. The effort will involve removing trash, debris, and RVs that some unhoused Angelenos have been calling home for years. Dig deeper The operation is part of the Pathway Home Program, an LA County Homeless Initiative-led encampment resolution program adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2023. Since the inception of the Pathway Home program, the Sheriff's Department Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) has placed 1,300 individuals into interim housing and off the streets. The program has helped remove 775 dilapidated RVs from the streets of unincorporated Los Angeles and Contract Cities. "It's an amazing feeling. It's very rare we get to see an immediate impact on people's lives, but it takes a lot of coordination and work.," said Pathway home director Kimberly Barnette. Seventy to eighty people are expected to be brought indoors from the RV encampment Wednesday alone, according to Pathway Home spokesperson Denis Wolcott. The goal of the operation is to transition individuals from homelessness into safe, permanent housing in order to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for both unhoused people and the surrounding communities. LASD Lt. George Suarez has been on the frontlines of homeless outreach for years. "Services in a unique style. Everything is brought all at once. The housing resources are guaranteed and we've done outreach and know every single person in the encampment, so they're on a list and we know who tries to sneak in," he said. "It is clearly a humanitarian crisis. We're seeing the positive momentum we're seeing the true work now happening," he added. County officials said the individuals experiencing homelessness will be offered housing and support services, with transportation provided by social workers on site. The RVs will be towed to a recycling center and dismantled, according to sheriff's officials. The operation is expected to take approximately three days. Keys To Success One of the keys is leveraging outreach service volunteers the homeless trust, like community advocate Dave Matthews and Rigo Alejo who turned his life around after nearly a decade living here in an RV. "I am an example to all these people around who I used to hang out with if I can do it anyone can do it," said Alejo. Other success stories include Erin Echavarria who, with a little guidance, got herself an apartment and job. And 65-year-old David Peters, who just exchanged his RV for housing after someone ran over his dog here. Cleaning up the whole county is a slow process, but Pathway Home has sure made a dent…and already come full-circle. "they listen and ask me if they can help and clean-up," said Alejo. The Source Information from Los Angeles County officials.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Los Angeles County authorities begin clearing large encampment, offering residents help
Multiple Los Angeles County agencies began clearing a large homeless encampment near Gardena on Wednesday morning, not only getting rid of debris but offering the residents alternative living options and health services. The effort is being led by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homeless Outreach Services Team and looks to address encampments that pose public health and safety risks. 'The effort will involve removing trash, debris, and RVs obstructing sidewalks and roads,' LASD said in a media release. Controlled burn could help figure out how the Palisades Fire started Not only will the initiative clean up part of Compton Boulevard in West Rancho Dominguez, but the people experiencing homelessness there will have the opportunity to get the help they need. 'The goal is to transition individuals from homelessness into safe, permanent housing in order to enhance public safety and improve the quality of life for both unhoused individuals and the surrounding communities affected by RV encampments,' the LASD release continues. 'Individuals experiencing homelessness will be offered housing and support services, with transport provided by social workers.' On Wednesday morning, KTLA spoke with L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, who was one of many law enforcement officials present at the cleanup. He explained that the encampment had generated 'significant complaints' for over a year, prompting officials to step in. 'Businesses and community members have not only gone to our department, but [2nd District Supervisor Holly] Mitchell's office, who we've been working hand-in-hand with,' Sheriff Luna told KTLA 5's Omar Lewis. 'When we are dealing with challenges like this, which is a very difficult challenge, our deputies come in and ask [if people need] services first [because] we want to make sure everybody is safe.' 'The next thing we do is offer people services,' the sheriff continued. 'We try to get them housing, medical and mental health care to get them back on their feet…this has been going on for months, so what you're seeing today is the culmination of all the hard work [that took place] for about a year.' Search for Los Angeles homicide suspect turns 'very worrisome' The sheriff also noted that Wednesday morning's cleanup was 'not a surprise to anybody' and that the RVs would be towed. More importantly, though, he said that the initiative was about giving the neighborhood 'back to the neighborhood.' 'We're hoping [the encampment] doesn't come back, but we'll keep a very close eye on it,' he said. The West Rancho Dominguez operation is expected to take approximately three days, according to officials. Sheriff Luna stated that agencies will continue to conduct cleanup operations like this one at encampments throughout the county to improve the lives of all. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
