Hello Neighbors,
Thank you for the momentum generated on this local issue; let's keep the ball rolling to amplify our voices! Keep sharing and educating those around you on Project Hope and the potential risks to our community and neighbors. Here are a few updates:
Protest Information:
There will be a planned PEACEFUL protest on Wednesday 8/26/2020 at 5:30pm at the Travelodge Hotel (Normandie Ave and 186th St). The meeting location will be at Mariposa and 187th St, then carried over to the perimeter of the Travelodge Hotel.
Please leave any politics and hate at home. This is a civil and peaceful protest letting the hotel and neighbors know that we would like to see some changes. The protest will be accompanied by LAPD officers so please do not feel afraid to show up. It's a great way to also say hello and get to know your neighbors; see how diverse and awesome the South Bay is!
A few updates on Project Hope are:
-This hotel was selected to participate in Project Hope due to its location, which also happens to be a misnomer. The area is designated as an "industrial area"; however, due to its unique jurisdiction of being on the border of Gardena and LA city our nearby residential neighborhoods were not taken into consideration.
-Parolees cannot be "vetted" and kicked out by the hotel's staff as previously indicated in a meeting as the hotel gets paid for the services they are providing to Project Hope.
-Police officers have been called to the Travelodge on two occasions so far related to a disturbance that has been tied to occupying parolees. There is a possibility that a hotel's involvement in Project Hope may be revoked based on the number of incidents that occur at a location. The hotel management did not press charges so the neighborhood is unsure if those 2 calls to police counted against them for anything.
-The hotel serves as "halfway" quarantine housing until parolees can get into a rehabilitation program. Any crimes committed during their quarantine can send them back to jail (please note bullet above where the hotel did not press charges so there was no "victim" and therefore no "crime"). There is no required check-ins or oversight on whether the parolees are self-quarantined. They are allowed to patron local shops/stores while following local COVID-19 guidelines.
-As of now (8/25/2020) the number of parolees at the Travelodge has decreased according to Travelodge management. There is no way to verify whether this information is accurate or true. It's unknown whether this is related to a natural fluctuation until another batch of parolees are released, due to the decrease in COVID cases across CA, or some other factor(s).
Why are we protesting?
-We would like transparency and open communication from hotel management on the number of parolees, assurance of their quarantine, and assurance of neighborhood safety related to COVID-19 infections and crime.
-Due to the lack of oversight of parolees, we would like to continue to pressure Travelodge to install security cameras on the exterior perimeters of their business and in their parking garage, hire security guards for everyone's protection and as a preventive measure, install signs to deter any potential crimes, and more lighting around the hotel's exterior.
-Ultimately, we would like to see Project Hope OUT of this Travelodge due to what is seen as an unfair selection of our neighborhood. We believe in second chances and criminal reform, but since this is not a criminal reform activity we believe Project Hope should be relocated to one of the many hotels in an area that does not have as many elderly folks, children, daycare, and schools nearby.
-If removal is unenforceable and not in question, we would like Travelodge's cooperation in implementing some safeguards mentioned in this petition.
Hope to see everyone at the protest, take care and stay safe!
-Anna