July 13 - 26, 2012 • FREE • RandomLengthsNews.com LB Eyes Ordinance that Allows Goats and Chickens in Residential Areas p. 2 PTSD: A Survivor Tells His Story p. 4
s Grand Performance Pays Tribute to Gil Scott Heron July 20
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MOLAA’s Gregorio Luke Examines Mariachi Music & Murals Under the Stars p. 16
By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor
Summertime weather makes visible the invisible. That’s particularly true for Los Angeles’ most invisible population: the homeless. In the Harbor Area—San Pedro in particular— 10,000 visitors kicked their summer off at Crafted at the Port of Los Angeles’ grand opening and 20,000 at Cars and Stripes that same evening. The following weekend, the USS Iowa welcomed 2,500 visitors.
Becoming Visible/ to p. 9
Rancho LPG Concerns Continue—
Public Safety Meeting Raises Hope, But Fails to Reassure
The Local Publication You Actually Read
Not surprisingly, locals began noticing an over-abundance of homeless people walking around, some panhandling, some lining up for food, some with mental health challenges and others coping with addiction. Perhaps what is most noticeable is that many of them appear to be new to the area, leading community members to the conclusion that the homeless are being dumped in San Pedro. The conversation so far is only taking place privately in coffee houses and long comment threads in local Facebook groups. Merchants and residents alike have grown concerned about perceived increases in panhandling and increased incidences of
By Paul Rosenberg, Senior Editor
Public Safety Still at Risk/ to p. 19
July 13 - 26, 2012
“Nobody’s looking at the big picture.” That was Diana Nave’s conclusion after hearing from a parade of federal, state and local agencies at a Public Safety Committee meeting on liquid bulk storage facilities convened by Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino on June 27. Nave, president of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council, was not alone in her assessment. Councilwoman Jan Perry, who serves on the committee with Buscaino, repeatedly stressed her desire for a single focal point of accountability. But that was nowhere to be found. In public comments, Alfred Satler characterized the situation as “a lot of different agencies, each looking at a small bit of the puzzle.” Still, residents seemed genuinely appreciative that some sort of effort was being made.
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