Linda Thai
From: Sergio Ochoa Jr
Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 9:47 PM
To: Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Subject: Growing transient encampment on Woodruff Avenue [CAUTION EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good evening to members of the council and to the residents of Downey. First I would like to thank all of the employees of the City and to all the residents that make this a great place to live. I grew up in the disfuncional City of L.A., in the community of Watts. I'm also currently employed by the City of L.A. in a a position that deals with transient encampments first hand. I'm now a proud resident of the City of Downey, where I reside in District 1, with my wife and daughter. I've have seen and continue to see, homeless encampments as the biggest issue that has plagued the City of L.A., grow out of control with no end in sight. This has happened because of the failure of the City to take action.
Recently, I drove on Woodruff Ave., between Stewart & Gray Rd. and Washburn Rd. on the East Side of the street and observed how 1 mobile home has now become 7, creating a small transient encampment that can easily spiral out of control. The City of Downey needs to be pro active and enforce its vehicle dwelling and anti camping laws. If we don't, this encampment will grow even bigger and with it will come the big city problems that we all have seen in the media and probably in person. I urge the City of Downey to prioritize this issue and take a proactive approach to reclaim public space before it's too late. Thank you for your time, sincerely Mr. Ochoa.