An Inside Safe operation brought in more than 35 people from an encampment of more than 10 recreational vehicles in the Wilmington area to nearby motels, officials announced Thursday.
The operation was conducted in partnership with Los Angeles Councilman Tim McOsker, who represents the 15th District, which includes the Harbor Area. According to city officials, the encampment had raised safety concerns regarding potential fires and explosions because it was located near industrial refineries.
“Today, we housed and cleared one of the largest RV encampments in the 15th District thanks to our partnership with Mayor Bass, numerous city departments and Harbor Interfaith Services,” McOsker said in a statement. “This operation has been in the works for some time and I’m glad that these Angelenos will be able to sleep with a roof over their heads and I will continue to advocate that they receive services that can change their lives.”
This was the 47th Inside safe operation, according to Mayor Karen Bass’ office. Last year, an Inside Safe operation also addressed an encampment of more than 50 RVs on Forest Lawn, among others.
“We continue taking steps to address and resolve RV encampments across the city,” Bass said in a statement. “I want to thank Councilmember Tim McOsker and our service providers for their continued partnership as we brought people inside and made sure this industrial area was safely maintained to protect the surrounding community before an incident happened.”
Bass is working toward policy changes and other efforts to address RV encampments. Bass expanded her Executive Directive No. 3 to target RV encampments by increasing the city’s capacity to tow, store, and dismantle surrendered vehicles. She is also sponsoring state legislation that streamlines the city’s ability to lease property from the California Department of Transportation at a reduced rate to store RVs while their former inhabitants receive services to transition into housing.
Bass’ office noted that, on Wednesday, 10 unhoused people who were living at a parks and recreation center in South Los Angeles were brought inside as part of Inside Safe operation. The facility had been impacted by that encampment for at least two years.