Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian has demanded an investigation after video footage showed police officers from Burbank dropping off a distressed homeless man in North Hollywood and driving away. The video, released by Krekorian, shows the man crawling on the sidewalk after being abandoned by the officers. Krekorian expressed anger at the situation, stating that neighboring cities may be pushing their homeless populations into Los Angeles rather than providing assistance.
The Burbank Police Department responded to a call near a hospital for a naked man at a bus stop, who requested to be taken to the North Hollywood metro station. The man then asked to be let out in front of Krekorian’s office to get a cup of coffee. Burbank police stated that the officers complied with the man’s request after he asked to be let out, but Krekorian criticized the officers for not providing any aid or resources to the man, who was clearly in distress.
Los Angeles has been struggling with a homeless crisis, spending $1 billion annually to address the issue, while neighboring cities contribute less. Krekorian emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address homelessness and called for investigations into the incident involving the Burbank police officers. The man in the video told Krekorian’s staff that he believed he had a broken leg and had recently become homeless outside of Los Angeles.
Burbank Mayor Nick Schultz expressed seriousness in addressing the concerns raised by Krekorian regarding the incident. The video, captured by a security camera outside Krekorian’s office, led to efforts by his staff to locate the homeless man and provide him with medical care through the Los Angeles Fire Department. The incident underscores the challenges faced by the homeless population in the region and the need for improved policies and collaboration between cities to address the issue effectively.
Krekorian introduced a motion calling for investigations by the Los Angeles city attorney, Los Angeles County district attorney, and the state attorney general into the actions of the Burbank police officers. He also demanded an investigation by Burbank’s mayor and emphasized the need for policy changes to prevent similar situations in the future. Krekorian described the officers’ actions as callous, cruel, inhumane, and fundamentally irresponsible, highlighting the vulnerability of the homeless individual who was left to fend for himself on the sidewalk.
Burbank police stated that they are conducting an investigation into the incident, including the conduct of the officers involved. The footage has sparked outrage in the community and raised concerns about the treatment of homeless individuals in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Krekorian’s efforts to address the situation and push for accountability reflect the ongoing challenges faced by homeless populations and the importance of compassionate and effective responses to support those in need.
