LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The City Council Friday provided more funding for services to assist displaced residents impacted by the Los Angeles Police Department's botched fireworks-detonation operation in South L.A. almost three years ago.
In a 12-0 vote, council members approved a motion introduced by Councilman Curren Price, who represents the 9th District, and seconded by Councilman Bob Blumenfield to assist residents displaced by the incident. Council members allocated $607,925 to extend services such as relocation assistance.
Council members Traci Park, Katy Yaroslavsky and Price were absent during the vote.
On June 30, 2021, the LAPD conducted a controlled detonation of illegal fireworks seized from a residence on the 700th block of East 27th Street, however, it resulted in an explosion that injured several residents and caused damage to the neighborhood.
"As assistance is provided to those affected by the blast and the City Attorney's Office works through the claims process with residents' attorneys, it is necessary to provide continued funding for housing and services to those displaced and impacted by the explosion," the motion reads.
Price, whose 9th District includes the impacted area, has lead efforts to help his constituents impacted by that event.
Some of those families displaced by the blast led protest outside of the mayor's officials residence in Hancock Park in September 2023.
Union del Barrio, the group organizing families and community members of South Los Angeles, contends that more than a dozen families continue to be displaced from their homes, which the city has not repaired.
Two months later, the group eventually met with Mayor Karen Bass, who listened to their concerns.
"Bass is working with Councilman Curren Price and city departments to do what they can to make these families whole in the wake of this tragic incident that occurred more than two years ago."
During that period of time, the City Controller Kenneth Mejia reported the explosion had cost the city $9.5 million with an additional $1.7 million being committed but not yet spent.
The L.A. Times reported that relocation of displaced residents cost $4.9 million, liability claims for the event stood at $1.7 million, cleanup and repairs stood at $1.55 million, $1.3 million for the LAPD's containment -- to replace the one destroyed by the blast -- and $44,000 for city labor, not including the cost for police officers.
The city continues to allocate money to help those residents as many continue to live in hotels and other claims related to blast remain outstanding.