RLn Briefs: Baragan Office in SP Muni Building; Medical Clinicians Embed with Police; Street Improvements Coming to Wilmington

Barragán to Get an Office in San Pedro Municipal Building
Last month, the Los Angeles City Council through a motion made by 15th District Councilman McOsker to provide office space for Rep. Nanette Barragán in the San Pedro Municipal Building on 7the and Beacon Street.

City staff decided that a Suite currently occupied by the Dept. of Public Works on the 5th floor would be the best place for the congresswoman’s new office. To accommodate this proposed lease, the Department of Public Works will be relocated to another suite on the same floor

The Department of General Services, with the help of the City Attorney’s office, was directed to negotiate a no-cost lease with Baragan’s office

LA City Council To Study Adding Medical Personal On Police Calls Involving People Experiencing Mental Health Crisis
On Jan. 13, the Los Angeles City Council moved a motion to the public safety committee that would pay for a presentation by Denver Colorado’s Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) Program, which deploys, through 911, Emergency Response Teams that include emergency medical technicians and behavioral health clinicians to engage individuals experiencing distress related to mental health issues, poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse.

In the first three days of 2023, three Angelenos suffering from mental health breakdowns were killed by the LAPD in three separate incidents, including Takar Smith, Keenan Anderson, and Oscar Leon.

Smith was confronted by police officers while in the kitchen of his estranged wife on Jan. 2. According to the Smith family’s attorney Takar’s wife, Shameka Smith, had gone to LAPD’s Rampart Division station earlier in the day, and told them that he suffered from mental illness and that she had a restraining order against him.

But no mental health experts were contacted, as Police Chief Michel Moore pointed out during a news conference following the shooting.

Anderson, a cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors was killed following a Jan. 3 traffic accident after which he began to experience a mental health break. Anderson was tased four times in 33 seconds. Police said Anderson, a father and beloved educator, had cocaine and cannabis in his system but did not provide any information about when he may have ingested the drugs.

Also on Jan. 3, Leon was killed after swinging a sharp metal pole at officers. Officers said they encountered a man armed with a sharp metal object about a foot in length. Officers told the suspect to drop the metal object several times and after he refused and approached them the officers opened fire, striking the suspect, according to the LAPD.

“Our City’s emergency response not only failed them and their loved ones but took their
Lives,” Council said in its motion.”Every Angeleno should be able to trust that when they call Emergency Services they will be delivered safe, compassionate, effective services that truly meet the moment.”

City council staff noted d that while Los Angeles has seen success with pilot programs such as the Therapeutic Vans operated by the LA County Department of Mental Health and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), neither have yet acquired the capacity to meet the demand, nor the severity of certain mental health crises.

Street Improvements Coming to Anaheim Street in Wilmington
The Department of Transportation has implemented a number of changes on Anaheim Street in Wilmington, with the goal of improving traffic safety and connectivity between Figueroa Street and Henry Ford Avenue. Some of the revisions include:

• • • Removing one travel lane in each direction between Figueroa St and Eubank Ave.;
    • Curb extensions with paint and plastic bollards;
    • Removing parking between Eubank Ave and Alameda;
    • A new protected bike lane • Upgrades to sidewalks, traffic signals, and pedestrian crossings;
    • Bicycle intersection improvements, pedestrian-scale lighting, and street trees.

Residents have expressed concern about the impact of these changes, and it is appropriate for the Council to receive an update on the status of the project, as well as the methodology and metrics for evaluating its effectiveness.

McOsker made a motion to direct the Department of Transportation to report on the effects of traffic calming measures and safety improvements to Anaheim Street between Figueroa Street and Henry Ford Avenue.