LA’s Homeless Crisis: Blame the Neighborhood Councils

GUEST COMMENTARY--After decades of neglecting and ignoring the homeless issue in Los Angeles, this City Council is working on solutions. 

Unfortunately, solutions mean angry home owners and residents. 

At a recent open house in Sherman Oaks, Council Member Ryu (photo above) was confronted by angry residents for his vote in city council, one that was unanimous. 

Rather than stand up for his vote and having the guts to man up, he folded at about the 2-minute mark and blamed Neighborhood Councils for his decision. 

There is no question the homeless issue is a tough one to tackle, and it needs to be resolved. BUT, we elect our council members to make the best decisions possible, and if David Ryu believed he made the best decision, then stand up and say so. 

The overwhelming cry at the open house of "RECALL RYU" obviously took the council member in a wrong direction. 

Why is it the neighborhood councils are ignored until the City Council member needs a scape goat? 

It is time for the Council to stop using the NC's as a fire wall and start listening to them.

(Here’s the way it went down.)

(Jay Handal is the co-chair of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, is a long-time community activist and writes for CityWatch.)

-cw