LA City Council bans homeless encampments near schools, daycare centers in final vote

The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday approved a ban on homeless encampments within 500 feet of schools and daycare centers in public places on an 11-3 vote, following protests that forced a recess for the second straight time this item has come before the council. This was the council’s third and final vote on the measure.

The council voted 11-3 in favor of the measure on the third and final time that it came up for a vote, with Council Members Mike Bonin, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Nithya Raman dissenting.
As they did last week, opponents interrupted the meeting with chants and shouts in the council chamber.

But on Tuesday, during public comment, a woman attempted to climb over the barrier separating the council from members of the public. While police attempted to take the woman into custody, a man tried to prevent officers from arresting her — he was in turn arrested on suspicion of vandalism and resisting arrest. The woman was not taken into custody, according to Capt. Elaine Morales of the Los Angeles Police Department, who added that she was pulled away from police by other protesters.

Three officers, including a sergeant, suffered minor injuries, Morales said.

Council President Nury Martinez then called for a 20-minute recess. Police with riot gear circled the chamber while protesters chanted and made speeches until police issued a dispersal order. The council finished the meeting with only members of the media present.

“Jumping over a barrier and putting other peoples’ lives at risk, that cannot be the norm around here,” Martinez said. “We cannot legislate in fear. I certainly will not do that. But we cannot tolerate this kind of behavior and continue to disregard decorum here in our council chambers and our safety.”

The new amendment is a blanket ban on encampments within 500 feet of all schools.