Parents are sounding the alarm about a dangerous homeless encampment near their South Los Angeles elementary school after they say a mother of two was grabbed off the street by a homeless attacker and dragged into a tent.
Karen Gutierrez described the horrific conditions mothers and their children experience due to the encampment’s proximity to the 61st Street Elementary School
“I’ve had a parent that actually comes to school — she has two kids — and she was snatched by one of the homeless and placed in the tent,” Gutierrez told Fox 11, adding that city officials refuse to do anything to fix the problem in the long term.
The elementary school, which is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is located about a block from an underpass of the 110 Freeway, where the homeless repeatedly set up camp.
Gutierrez described some of the revolting things children are exposed to each day while heading to class, including drug paraphernalia and used condoms.
“A lot of pipes that are broken, massive condoms used,” Gutierrez told Fox 11.
Another resident who lives nearby the school called the conditions completely unsafe.
“People [are] having sex in their cars, and once they’re done, they throw the used condoms on the sidewalk and street. This is directly where children are walking to and from school,” Omar Ramos said.
He said he’s reached out to the city, which has arrived to clean up the encampment only to see it return.
“I’ve been in contact with Council District 9 and the school since 2021 to come up with permanent solutions. What’s their solution so far? Zero,” Ramos said.
“They come back within an hour,” Gutierrez added. “Some just said they’re just waiting to clean up and they’ll come back. That’s how bad it is.”
District 9’s Councilmember Curren Price Jr.’s office told The Post that its has been actively working to address the issue through constant cleanups, but admitted that residents are correct that the situation returns right after it’s been addressed.
“We are taking additional steps to bring lasting relief. Our office is preparing to introduce a 41.18 motion focused on protecting the area around the school, and we are moving forward with installing surveillance cameras to deter illegal dumping and hold offenders accountable,” the statement read.
“These actions are already underway, and we remain committed to delivering sustained improvements that ensure a safer, cleaner environment for the entire Council District 9 community.”
A spokesperson for Los Angeles Unified School District told The Post that “keeping students safe is our highest priority.”
“We understand and share our families’ concerns regarding these issues impacting the larger community,” the statement read. “Although Los Angeles Unified does not have authority over the sidewalks outside our schools, we are working closely with our city partners to advocate for improvements.”
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
