Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents warn Burbank board about alleged Scientology-linked groups and urge permit scrutiny
Summary
Multiple in-person speakers and a phone caller at the Jan. 20 Parks and Recreation Board meeting urged staff to vet organizations they said are affiliated with Scientology and to monitor permit and youth-program uses; staff said it will consult the city attorney and continue standard permit vetting and park patrol enforcement.
During the public comment period at the Jan. 20 Parks and Recreation Board meeting, several residents raised concerns about organizations they said operate as fronts for Scientology and urged the board and staff to scrutinize permit use and vet groups invited to youth programming.
Joel Schlossman raised a separate concern that a women’s club meeting at the Joslyn Adult Center restricts membership on the basis of age and college units, which he called discriminatory. Recreation staff (Miss Garcia) responded that she has asked staff to work with the city attorney to ensure the city is not inadvertently discriminating and to make any needed changes to policies.
Tori Christman said she had been in a cult for 30 years and warned the board that Scientology ‘‘is very much into pulling in young kids,’’ urging staff to check the organization before allowing involvement with city programs. Another in-person speaker identified as Joe said he advocates for victims of Scientology and alleged that front groups such as Drug Free World and Narconon seek to use programs or permits to recruit; he also alleged harassment of neighbors.
A phone caller identifying himself as John Brown of auditthegovernment.org urged the board to be aware that, he alleged, some organizations obtain special-event permits to occupy public streets and venues; he said litigation in Los Angeles involves related establishment-clause questions. Board members and staff said permitting for First Amendment activity is required but that staff will continue to vet partners invited to youth programs, monitor permit compliance and rely on park patrols to address misuse. Staff committed to consulting the city attorney regarding discrimination concerns.
These remarks were public comment and did not result in immediate policy changes recorded in the meeting. The board did not vote to ban or deny any specific group during the session.
