Dear concerned Westside Village Residents – Thank you for your support!

By signing this petition you are a neighborhood resident who shares similar concerns about the SafeParking LA project plans to use St John's Church parking lot. We can all agree that The SafeParking LA program is a good and needed program. A better solution would be to find a location away from young children and families. Many large parking lots can easily be found in the Los Angeles area including malls, airports and (currently empty) office buildings. We want to be part of the solution.

The church is a community safe space for our neighborhood, a place that brings people together, a place you can regularly see our children playing or riding bikes. Turning the lot into a nightly location for unmonitored vehicles will directly impact our children. The program flier states that they have a partnership with local police. Sadly, we routinely have issues getting the LAPD to respond to neighborhood crimes in a timely manner due to the sheer size of our community. 

We are very concerned about allowing vehicles to park in a lot surrounded by young families in an area already struggling with homelessness, drug abuse and a spike in violent crimes. 

What we were told: Your input matters, please share your thoughts

What we found out: The decision has been made without your consideration, no community wide announcement was even attempted until a few residents voiced concerns when finding out through a council meeting - after hearing from us they held a town hall.

What we were told: A promise of extended street parking restrictions to reduce neighborhood spread  

What we found out: Nothing has been approved, cars can still park overnight on National and other side streets without permits - multiple vehicles have burned down due to illegal drug activity

What we were told: Individuals will be screened

What we found out: Their name will run through the National Sex Offender Database but no drug test will be required or other information reviewed

To not be consulted about a decision that will directly impact our neighborhood and children is extremely disappointing. We want to take action and that is why we are signing this petition. 

Let's work together for a shared solution!

The city process is required by LAW. Neighbors’ concerns need to be heard so the city can impose conditions to protect residents. If the city is not going to follow its own process rules - that’s betrayal on the residents who live here.

Westside Village Residents