LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Police Department officers' union is pushing back against the potential use of officers in Mayor Eric Garcetti's efforts to shut off utility service at homes hosting large parties.
Garcetti announced the plan last week in response to two headline-grabbing house parties that attracted huge crowds despite a prohibition on such large gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic. One of the parties ended in a fatal shooting.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing LAPD officers, took to social media over the weekend, saying officers don't want to be involved in utility cutoffs.
âMayor Garcetti wants to reimagine policing. He should send his civilian staff to turn off people's electricity & cut off their water,'' the union stated. âLet officers deal with the rise in shootings and killings in LA. We need a leader and not a political contortionist.''
There was no immediate response from the mayor's office, and the LAPD declined to comment.
Union officials told the celebrity website TMZ.com that officers are unlikely to call the Department of Water and Power and ask for a utility shutoff if they respond to a home and discover a house party. They indicated officers are already concerned about heightened tensions between the community and law enforcement, and they don't the additional burden of being responsible to cutting off people's utilities.
It was not immediately clear under Garcetti's utility shutoff plan if police would be the ones authorizing power cuts. Garcetti said last week that the idea was for utilities to be shut down within 48 hours if there are âegregious'' or repeat violations of orders barring large gatherings.
âThe consequences of these large parties ripple far beyond just those parties; they ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread,'' Garcetti said. âWhile we have already closed all nightclubs and bars, these house parties have essentially become night clubs in the hills.''
City Councilman David Ryu last week introduced a motion asking for similar punishments for people who host large gatherings and parties. Penalties from Ryu's motion could include permit prohibitions or having a certificate of occupancy held or revoked in addition to utility shutoffs.