The explosion in homeless population in Culver City due to COVID-19, regional housing pressures, and other economic impacts has created unsafe conditions in the community.

We are demanding immediate action from the Culver City government and elected officials to ensure the safety of the community and from elected official to ensure their constituency is being heard and addressed.

Immediate issues include:

• Sidewalks are unsafely obstructed by encampments, creating unsafe conditions for all who wish to use pathways.  Most of all, these conditions deprive disabled residents of their ADA guaranteed rights to a safe environment.  The city has been notified of this on multiple occasions and no action has been taken.
• The economic disadvantages and endemic problems of addiction within the increased homeless population has increased the incidence of crime, creating an unsafe environment for ourselves and our children.  The police force lacks the tools or mechanisms to protect the community.
• The failure of the city to provide necessary infrastructure to support safety and enforcement has put the police at a disadvantage in doing their job and protecting the community.
• The lack of support provided by the city to offer homeless persons a safe environment and housing additionally puts them in danger and compounds the issue and fails to support the safety and well being of the surrounding community.

The current proposals presented by the city, such as item #22-865, are misguided, fiscally irresponsible, and will be completely ineffective to address any underlyings issues or the needs of the community.  

Proposal #22-865 suggests widening the sidewalk at Washington Blvd under the 405, thereby creating a space to accommodate homeless encampments under the 405.  The $100,000 cost of this measure will not only drain resources which could be spent on supporting the community.  By its' own estimates, the city spends $160,000 annually on first responder calls related to homelessness and surrounding residential streets lack basic amenities such as streetlights.  The cost of this proposal is unconscionable and presents no solutions to the problems of increased crime and does not provide the homeless with any real support.  Additionally, this proposal reduces potential of $32,000 in parking revenue for the city, further undercutting resources to effectively address the problem.  

The net cost of this single proposal exceeds the city's annual funding for its largest emergency housing provider, Upward Bound House.

The proposal only addresses the appearance of action on the part of the city council - with the bill passed on the taxpayers - but does not provide solutions.

We are calling upon the Culver City government to:

• Immediately enforce laws to ensure the pathways such as the underpass  at Washington and the 405 are kept clear of obstructing encampments, and that pathways are preserved for their intended use.  This is a public health and safety issue, and a disability rights issue.
• Increase enforcement and police patrols in areas where encampments have been constructed to ensure laws are adhered to.  The City Council has an obligation to their constituency and a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers.
• Improve infrastructure to support the police in performing their job, specifically installation of CCTV cameras at underpasses, high-crime corridors, and other areas where visual obstructions are presented for improved enforcement.
• Ensure all city streets are kept save through the installation of streetlights BEFORE spending money on measures such as the proposed measure.  Many streets are without adequate lighting which makes them a safety risk.  Spending these funds on the proposal diverts funds from the basic needs of the community.
• Work with local, state, and federal agencies and organizations to address the needs, safety, and health of the homeless population, to resolve the root issues rather than issuing a band-aid solution which does not address the root cause of the problem.  It does not provide homeless with permanent, safe housing, and fails to address the needs of any community residents, housed or unhoused.

We demand that the city takes action and addresses this need immediately.