City Council President Paul Krekorian accused law enforcement agencies from neighboring cities of relocating homeless people into Los Angeles, claiming they prefer to push the problem off onto the city rather than addressing it themselves. He released security footage showing Burbank police officers dropping off an unhoused man outside his North Hollywood office, who was later taken to the hospital by the Los Angeles Fire Department. The Burbank Police Department stated that they were taking the man back to where he originally came from, but Krekorian disputed this claim, stating that the man had recently become homeless while living outside of Los Angeles and had no connections to North Hollywood.
While Los Angeles is making efforts to build housing and shelter for the homeless population, Krekorian criticized other cities for simply delivering homeless individuals to their doorstep and washing their hands of the issue. The city of Los Angeles is investing significant funds in addressing homelessness, with Mayor Karen Bass calling for $950 million to fund homeless programs, down from nearly $1.3 billion allocated in the previous fiscal year. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that there are 181,000 homeless people in California, with over 71,000 unsheltered individuals in Los Angeles County alone.
The incident of the homeless man being dropped off in front of Krekorian’s office is not an isolated case, according to the City Council President. He cited a previous incident in 2022 where an unhoused man was dropped off by police officers from Burbank outside a homeless services center in his district. Krekorian also mentioned similar instances involving the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The security video released by Krekorian showed the distressed man crawling on the sidewalk after being left by the Burbank police officers, highlighting the challenges faced by the unhoused population and the need for compassionate treatment and support.
The actions of law enforcement agencies from neighboring cities have raised concerns about the lack of accountability and responsibility in addressing homelessness. Krekorian called the situation “gut-wrenching” and highlighted the need for intervention and support for vulnerable individuals who are left stranded without assistance. The Burbank Police Department stated that they are committed to treating the unhoused community with compassion and respect, acknowledging the matter brought to their attention by Krekorian and continuing their investigation into the incident. The persistent and visible problem of homelessness in California remains a significant challenge despite ongoing efforts and investments to alleviate the crisis.
The city of Los Angeles is facing the consequences of inadequate responses from neighboring jurisdictions, leading to homeless individuals being relocated without proper support or resources. Krekorian emphasized the need for collaboration and coordinated efforts to address homelessness, urging other cities to take responsibility for their homeless populations rather than simply transferring the problem elsewhere. The impact of these actions on vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness underscores the importance of comprehensive and compassionate solutions to the crisis, which requires a collective and coordinated approach from all levels of government and community organizations.
