Home California Los Angeles Mayor: Water and Power Could be Shutoff for Nonessential Businesses

Los Angeles Mayor: Water and Power Could be Shutoff for Nonessential Businesses

by ECT

During a press conference on Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced his “Business Ambassador Program” in an effort to get nonessential businesses to close under the shelter in place directive.

He explained that if a nonessential business is refusing to comply with orders, they will get a visit from the city employees and police department noting the easiest way to comply with orders is to follow the rules (32-minute mark).  The business will get a warning and if necessary on reoccurring establishments for further enforcement.

“If you know of a shop that is failing to act, give them a call. And ask them to do what is required. If they won’t, then refer them. If we see continued non compliance they may end up seeing a misdemeanor charge and DWP will step in and shutoff their water,” said Garcetti. “My ideal is 100 percent self compliance.”

As of March 23, 2020, 2 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, there are a total of 2,102 positive cases and 40 deaths (increase occurred over a period of two days) in California (including one non-California resident)

For a full list of California “Essential Businesses”, click here.

LOS ANGELES — Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Attorney Mike Feuer Tuesday assured strong enforcement of the City’s “Safer at Home” emergency order, which requires Angelenos to stay in their residences in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“We’re all safer at home, and that’s not a suggestion — it is the law,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Refusing to follow it isn’t brave or funny — it’s stupid and could wind up killing you or someone else. Angelenos are doing an extraordinary job of staying in their homes, and we won’t tolerate the selfish behavior of a few who unnecessarily put our community at risk.”

The “Safer at Home” order requires Angelenos to remain in their homes except for the most essential activities — including critical tasks such as securing food and health, safety and medical necessities, as well as caring for children, elder adults, family, friends and people with disabilities. Failure to heed the order is a misdemeanor that can result in fines or jail time.

City Attorney Feuer has assigned his Neighborhood Prosecutor team to work with the Los Angeles Police Department to seek compliance and enforce the City’s order when necessary.

“In the strongest possible terms, I urge that Angelenos adhere to the ‘Safer at Home’ Order, and non-essential businesses shut their doors,” said City Attorney Feuer. “Those crucial steps protect all of us. As part of the City team, my Office’s Neighborhood Prosecutors will work toward gaining compliance with the Order, helping ensure that our families are safe.”

In addition to the City Attorney’s Neighborhood Prosecutors, the Mayor announced the formation of the “Safer at Home” Business Ambassadors program — which deploys City workers and volunteers with the Mayor’s Crisis Response Team to businesses that appear to be out of compliance with the emergency order with a goal of securing voluntary compliance. If voluntary compliance is not achieved, the ambassadors will share information with the City Attorney and LAPD for follow-up. Members of the public can report out-of-compliance businesses at coronavirus.lacity.org/reportbusinessviolation.

Mayor Garcetti has taken a number of emergency measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus, including a plan to quickly shelter thousands of Angelenos experiencing homelessness; restrictions placed on bars, nightclubs, restaurants, movie theaters, entertainment venues, bowling alleys and arcades, gyms and fitness centers; and limits on public gatherings in City facilities.

The Mayor has also taken several steps to support residents and businesses during the local emergency — including placing a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions and water and power shutoffs, and an economic relief package for businesses impacted by the pandemic.

More details and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at coronavirus.lacity.org.

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7 comments

Robert C Mar 25, 2020 - 7:12 am

ECT:

Your headline is misleading. People will interpret it as news of a water/power “shortage” rather than the threatened enforcement action that it is. We don’t need any more alarmist press reports being misinterpreted.

Jim Simmons Mar 25, 2020 - 7:23 am

I don’t take it that way at all and don’t see how you can take it that way. This is all in response to the idiots not complying with shelter in place and many businesses who feel like they are essential when they really are not.

Like in Brentwood, why is a tanning booth open? Why are some nail and hair salons open but many others are not? The LA mayor has gone to the extreme, but may become a reality if this continues. I think the headline is spot on.

The mayor is basically threatening commerce.

Robert C Mar 25, 2020 - 7:40 am

Believe me, some people WILL take it that way. They only read the headline, not the article itself, and then run to social media to spread the “facts.”

PattyOfurniture Mar 25, 2020 - 8:06 am

It’s the idiots that ruin it for the rest of the people trying to play by the rules so I can see why this would happen. Not that I agree with it it’s a little totalitarian. I don’t agree with or like being told I have to stay in except for essential travel; but if it’s for the good of the people then we should probably step up as a community and see if we can slow the spread of this thing down. Here in CCC we’re just on the cusp of seeing how bad it’s going to get so everyone’s speculating while they’re waiting for the storm to come in. Someone at my work just tested positive for this thing. We’ll see what happens….

Deb Mar 25, 2020 - 9:22 am

Totally irresponsible, misleading headline.

That Guy Mar 25, 2020 - 10:43 am

They now have a medicine that both kills it, and prevents. Its cheap, easy to make, and there is a lot of it….Why did Nevada outlaw Cloraquin right after trump says it works. Will California do the same thing? LA is releasing inmates, closing gun stores, and threatening to turn off power and water for non-compliance. National guard is moving around with barb-wire coils on their hummers. I sure hope other Americans can see the foundation being laid for chaos and that this is NOT about a virus. Things are gonna get way more bumpy due to the Newsomes Rules.

If you don’t agree with me, you don’t have too. The next two months should kill any doubt that this due to a virus….but then again, maybe I’m wrong….

VINCE Mar 25, 2020 - 1:17 pm

You probably are wrong. A little on the dramatic side of things ya think ?

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