Los Angeles

‘It's Unacceptable!' Residents Talk Trash About LA's Pickup Promise

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} Neighbors are expressing frustration with the City of Los Angeles' response to illegal trash dumping.

People in South LA shared their concerns with the I-Team one day after Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered the Bureau of Sanitation to clear a backlog of thousands of outstanding requests to clean up illegally dumped trash.

Recent I-Team reports have detailed the ongoing frustration of residents living in neighborhoods  that are plagued by piles of trash, carelessly discarded on street corners and in alleys.

The Mayor’s announcement also comes in the wake of a report that found that poor areas of L.A. were less likely than more affluent areas to get a quick response to requests to clear away trash.

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} The report, conducted by the Los Angeles Times, prompted an internal investigation by Garcetti’s office, which ultimately led to the Mayor’s order.

Statistics suggest sanitation crews responded more quickly to reports of illegal dumping in wealthier areas of Los Angeles than in less affluent neighborhoods.

"Some of the poorest areas that consist of blacks and Latinos, we’re getting the short end of the stick," said Leonard Delpit of South LA’s Neighborhood Council Board. "We want the same types of services that they’re getting in some of the most affluent areas of the city."

Delpit was among several community leaders who gathered to speak to the media about the ongoing trash dumping problem.

Workers from the L.A. Bureau of Sanitation appeared at the same location, clearing away piles of mattresses, shopping carts and other junk as cameras rolled.

Some activists speculated that the crews only turned up because they'd called local media outlets.

"This is unacceptable," said Lorraine Curry. "It’s unacceptable!"

A spokeswoman for Mayor Garcetti told the I-Team that he is listening to their concerns, and is eager to address them.

"Fair and timely delivery of basic services – for all Angelenos – is how we measure our success," Garcetti said in a statement. "Even the suggestion of inequity needs to be addressed swiftly."

To report illegal trash dumping, you can call the city’s toll-free non-emergency number, 311. Or, report illegal dumping online here.

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