With the COVID-19 crisis and summer weather moving in for the first time in a long time, things are heating up around the city in a number of ways…and the City of LA responded yesterday with two new programs.
“Behind Closed Doors” Domestic Safety Campaign
The first, announced by District Attorney Jackie Lacey and City Attorney Mike Feuer, is a new “Behind Closed Doors” public safety campaign aimed at increasing awareness of domestic violence and encouraging people to report “suspected in-home crimes” such as domestic, elder and child abuse.
“We in law enforcement are especially concerned right now with protecting the people who live, work and visit Los Angeles County from domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse,” Lacey said in a statement announcing the launch. “It’s up to all of us to make sure that our family, friends, neighbors and colleagues get through this public health emergency without becoming a victim of crime.”
Feuer said in the same announcement that the City is particularly engaging grocery stores and the Los Angeles Unified School District to help “alert delivery personnel, home repair workers, neighbors, family and friends to immediately text or call 911 if you believe someone needs help.” The City will provide Behind Closed Doors posters, containing information about free domestic abuse “hotlines, shelters and legal resources available to domestic violence victims,” to both grocery stores and LAUSD’s 63 Grab and Go Food Centers – two places those in need might be most likely to see them.
For more information, about the Behind Closed Doors program, see lacityattorney.org/covid19.
Emergency Cooling Centers
Meanwhile, while some people may already be chafing under our current “Safer at Home” restrictions, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti used his daily COVID-19 update yesterday to remind people that the restrictions are still in place, and that – despite the current hot weather – people should resist the temptation to flee to the local beaches, which are officially still closed.
“I can’t be more clear about this: This weekend, more than ever, you need to stay home,” Garcetti said. “Beaches remain closed. Public trails remain closed. Sports and recreation facilities are closed. Unnecessary trips put lives at risk. It’s that simple.”
To provide help for those who most urgently need to get out of the heat, however, Garcetti also announced the opening of several emergency “cooling centers,” at four city recreation centers:
1. Lincoln Heights Senior Center: 2323 Workman St. Los Angeles, CA 90031, (323) 225-9339
2. Mid-Valley Senior Center at Sepulveda Recreation Center: 8825 Kester Avenue, Panorama City, CA 91402, (818) 892-0892
3. Robert Wilkinson Multipurpose Center: 8956 Vanalden Ave. Northridge, CA 91324, 818 756-7741
4. Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center: 5056 Van Nuys Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, (818) 386-9674
The centers are specifically for people whose well-being is most in danger from the high heat. If you or someone you know need to visit one of the centers, please call ahead to make sure space is available, with adequate social distancing.
Also, after the weather cools and the centers are deactivated, note that the park buildings will once again be closed to the public, as they have been since the shelter in place orders began. For more information:
● Call 3-1-1
● Call the Recreation and Parks Public Information Office at (213) 202-2700
● See laparks.org
And for other COVID-19-related questions and comments, you can call 213-978-1028 or 311.
