Council requests reports after residents and officials raise spike in crime at public housing developments

The Los Angeles City Council asked the Housing Department and associated agencies for a pair of reports after residents and council members raised concerns about a renewed increase in crime at public housing developments.

Several residents testified during the public-comment period calling for restored security and enforcement at developments including San Fernando Gardens. The residents urged stronger law-enforcement presence, gates and “no trespassing” enforcement in housing projects where they said nonresidents were entering and criminal activity had increased.

Ed Griffin, director of planning at the Housing Authority, told the council the agency’s force strength is higher than some published counts: he said the current active number is 47 officers (the department’s reported budget complement in an earlier year had been 76), and that deployments have shifted to concentrate resources at heavily impacted developments. He acknowledged shortfalls and discipline-related vacancies and said the agency will provide a written report requested by motion.

Councilman Padilla, who introduced the motion, said constituents reported a 21 percent increase in crime in some developments and asked for reports on (1) options to increase the housing authority police force and (2) interagency relationships and backup arrangements with LAPD, including who responds first to calls for service at developments. Padilla said the reports should identify resource needs for improving safety and coordination.

Council members from districts with substantial public-housing portfolios echoed the concern. Councilwoman Hahn requested that the reports include crime statistics focused on housing developments and identify which agency usually responds first to incidents; she also asked for clarity about deployments and supplemental‑service arrangements. Housing Authority staff said federal funding cuts (including elimination of the federal public-housing drug elimination program) had reduced resources and that those cuts will be described in the department’s written report.

The council accepted a friendly correction to refer the matter to the Housing, Community and Development Committee (in place of Redevelopment) and recorded 14 ayes on the motion to request the reports. The housing authority said it would provide the requested written material, including deployment and budget details, to the council.