Monday 28 November 2022 06:14 PM Los Angeles city councilman says homeless crisis means children 'step over ... trends now
Democrat Los Angeles city councilmember Joe Buscaino told Dr. Phil last week that kids in his city are being forced to 'step over needles' and 'human waste' on their way to school due to the ongoing homeless crisis in California.
The TV-doctor discussed on his show a piece of recently passed legislation that is meant to address the dangerous and ever-growing tent cities in LA.
'At a recent Los Angeles city council meeting, members voted to prohibit homeless people from setting up tents within 500 feet of schools and daycare centers,' he said.
But all are not content with the measures being taken to address the city's unwieldy issues with the unhoused population.
'Protesters at one point shut down the meeting, angered by new restrictions that will expand the number of locations where sleeping and camping are prohibited,' he continued.
The city's homeless population has grown in tandem with a rising crime rate and the same economic issues the the rest of the country currently faces.
Los Angeles has seen 7.3 percent more homicides this year than last, according to law enforcement. And the same progressive bail reform policies that have contributed to the crime surge in New York are allowing dangerous criminals to mix among the rest of the LA homeless population.
Last year, homicides climbed 12 percent over last year, robberies were up 5.3 percent and shootings rose by 14.8 percent. Two attempts to recall the city's progressive DA have ended in failure.
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Sarah Tindall, middle, walks her sons Dylan and River past a homeless encampment near Larchmont Charter School in Hollywood
City councilmember Joe Buscaino says children should not have to be afraid of drug needles, human excrement and erratic behavior as they walk to school
Another mother walks her middle-school aged daughter to school through a Los Angeles homeless encampment. Los Angeles is currently home to the most homeless encampments in the country
Buscaino appeared on the show to defend the measure.
He said, 'No child in America should be afraid to walk to school, and what we have found in Los Angeles [is] is kids are afraid to walk to school.'
'They tell their parents they have to step over needles, human waste, and deal with individuals unfortunately suffering from psychotic behavior - right next to their playground area,' he added.
Buscaino represents the 15th district of Los Angeles and in the last election, ran to become the city's mayor before dropping out and endorsing businessman
