On Tuesday, September 21, the Fire Prevention Bureau Legal Unit / Illegal Cannabis Section served a warrant with LAPD 77th Division Narcotics Enforcement Detail at 5710 S. Western Avenue. Discovered during the warrant service on an illegal cannabis business were six residential units of illegal housing.
“Keep communities together” was repeatedly expressed by residents during the last two public hearings hosted by the Los Angeles City Council Redistricting Commission.
The comments were delivered at the latest public hearing that the commission hosted as part of the redistricting process, which requires that the boundaries of council districts be redrawn following each census and that each district be approximately equal in size.
“Vaccinate now” is the mandate from Los Angeles-area federal, state and local elected officials, who united on August 12 to implore African Americans and Latinos to receive the shot to counteract the latest surge in COVID-19 infections.
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson opens two new pools and organizes summer park activities for South LA youth and families.
In the midst of an unprecedented pandemic where intimate physical interaction created the risk of contracting COVID-19, protesters called for justice, confronting the hard reality that incidents of police brutality, which have disproportionately resulted in the injuries and deaths of people of color, persisted across the nation.
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, channeling his instincts as an organizer, launched a community-based effort to get South Los Angeles residents that are 65 and older vaccinated as quickly as possible. Harris-Dawson and his staff personally called nearly 1,000 seniors who had participated in the Emergency Senior Meals program that provided over 50,000 meals to seniors during the pandemic’s onset. This time, the councilmember was calling to connect them to local vaccines rather than free meals prepared by local restaurants. Despite the different goal, the team had incredible success calling residents 65 and older. Over 2,000 seniors and healthcare workers received vaccines at local sites across South Los Angeles as a result.
Today, Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson announced the opening of the Navigation Center at 729 W. Manchester Avenue. This one-stop-shop will provide critical services to people experiencing homelessness and connect them to resources, such as employment opportunities and supportive housing. This project is funded at nearly $9
million thanks to HHH, a $1.2 billion bond issued by Councilmember Harris-Dawson and supported by millions of voters to create housing and provide services for individuals and families that are experiencing homelessness.
Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson was excited to be working with the Feed Your City Challenge. He mentioned how great it was to have Roddy Ricch and Mustard, who are both from the South L.A. community, help host and be hands on during the food drive. “Roddy Ricch and Mustard, they are both homeboys, they are from the community. They came up in our streets and they know how it is in the neighborhood,” says Dawson. He continues, “Once you put out the fall to give help, or get help, our community shows up. It just takes the right individuals to make the right call, set up the event, get volunteers and sponsors. LAPD is here, the fire department is here. Everybody steps up and we make it work. We make it do what it do.”
As of July 27, the metrics of COVID-19 are showing a steady plateau; according to the Mayor of Los Angeles, the curve is heading in the right direction. On Monday, the county reported 2,039 new cases. This brings the total diagnosed reports to 176,028. There were 905 of those cases found in the city of L.A.; there were an additional count of 17 deaths. In summary, there are 4,375 fallen Angelenos.
Public health concerns have taken a backseat in conversations about reopening our economy and returning to what we fondly remember as “normal life”. Memorial Day historically signals the unofficial start of summer and because COVID-19 cases were on the decline, many hoped it would also mark the beginning of a return to normalcy. Even before the Governor and Mayor began lifting restrictions, some residents dismissed the stay at home orders. On Memorial Day weekend, people flocked to beaches and parks in droves, hosted gatherings with more than ten people in attendance, and did so without wearing protective face masks.
On April 29, 1992, Ward Economic Development Corp (WEDC) had just completed its first housing development – Ward Villas (WV). In the first month, neighbors – even those who were skeptical about who would move into affordable housing – came to help us protect the newly completed 90,000 + square ft. state of the art complex from being burned or looted. People of good will provided staples, helped to “man” the fire hoses, stood guard, help residents feel comfortable, setting in place a close community relatedness that has lasted over these last 29 years.
With the House’s passing of HEROES Act on May 16, a bill created in effort to start negotiations on the next relief effort to the COVID-19 pandemic, many questions arise on how the legislation will aid in federal relief and assist to combat COVID-19.
COVID-19 has taken an immediate financial toll on the City of Los Angeles. Many families are looking for ways to make ends meet and keep food on the table. Local organizations and elected officials have hit the ground to help residents access the food and resources they need safely. Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson partnered with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to host a drive-through food pantry for more than 5,000 South L.A. Families.
“I feel a personal connection and responsibility to every resident in my district and in the South LA community, ” said Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson. As soon as this crisis hit, I took immediate action to protect our seniors as well as small businesses and their employees. We can make it through this crisis together and come out stronger in the end.”