Unhoused residents living in Council District 3 say they were displaced by a CARE+ sanitation cleaning ahead of Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s Fireworks Extravaganza, an annual 4th of July celebration at Warner Ranch Park in Woodland Hills featuring music, vendors, and fireworks.
“Please be sure to remove everything because this is the location of the 4th of July celebration,” noted a CARE+ sanitation schedule obtained by L.A. TACO through a source who does not want to be identified. “5,000 people will be in attendance.”
A LA Sanitation (LASAN) spokesperson confirmed that the cleanup happened on July 3, a day before the fireworks extravaganza.
“Our team cleaned loose litter, trash, and debris,” said Elena Stern. “There were no individuals or encampments in the area at the time of the operation.”
Jake Flynn, the Communications Director for Councilmember Bob Blumenfield’s office, said in a statement that the council member and CD 3 staff, as well as service providers, conducted outreach “for several weeks leading up to the annual event” and offered people “transitional housing at the Willows and through SHARE!."