Neighbors of St. Joseph Center have for years tried to get St. Joseph to clean up their area.

It was discovered in St. Joseph’s Conditions of Approval that they are directed to do so.  Yet, it is not being done.  Rick Swinger started a Gofundme account to clean up the alleys and other areas that were being used as a toilet before discovering that St. Joseph’s Center was bound to clean up certain areas.

Condition of Approval:

The applicant shall clean up the public right-of-ways within one block of the subject center once per day when the center is open to clients. Such clean up shall be limited to Hampton Drive from Marine Street to Rose Avenue, Third Avenue from Marine Street to Rose Avenue, Marine Street from Hampton Drive to Third Avenue, and Rose Avenue and alley from Hampton Drive to Third Avenue, and be generally limited to items such as feces, vomit, bottles, cans, paper and needles.

(Photo courtesy of Rick Swinger.)

“St. Joseph Center on Hampton Dr has been called 3 times and they refuse to send over a clean up crew with proper gloves and equipment to clean up the feces in our alley as per their agreement with the city,” wrote Rick Swinger, resident activist.  “This is so gross and what the neighbors have to put up with along Hampton now is absurd!  Friday or Saturday they cleaned this up.  Picture shows cleaned up version.”

And Swinger asks what happened to the 60-gallon container law?

LAMC 56.11 Bulky Item or Bulky Items means any item with the exception of a Tent, that is too large to fit in one of the City’s 60 gallon trash containers with the lid closed, including but not limited to a mattress, couch, chair or other furniture or appliance.

(Photo courtesy of Rick Swinger.)

The chair would certainly qualify.  Individual items, that combined would fit in 60-gallon container, would not qualify.  The Bureau of Sanitation has been consistent about keeping 3rd Ave clear of the “bulky items.”  There are other reasons to get private property off the streets.

LAMC 56.11 states Impoundment of Stored Personal Property; Discard of Stored Personal Property.

a) No person shall Store Personal Property in  Public Areas
(b) All Stored Personal Property in Public Areas may be impounded by the City.
(c) Personal Property placed in Public Areas shall be deemed to be Stored Personal Property if it has not been removed from Public Areas within 24 hours of service of written notice, requiring such removal.  Moving Personal Property in another location in a Public Area or returning Personal Property to the same block on a daily or regular basis shall not be considered to be removing the Personal Property from a Public Area.  The City may remove and impound such Stored Personal Property after providing 24 hours written notice.  This section shall not apply to Personal Property that, pursuant to statute, ordinance, permit, regulation or other authorization by the City or State is storied on property that is owned or controlled by the City.

Please note that there are (d) thru (h) that are not stated here.