Back To Basics! When? Pacoima is not seeing it!

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PACOIMATODAY
Volume 4, Issue 3
May 2015
July2016
TABLE OF CONTENT
Back to Basics? 1
Violation of SEC. 80.73.1 1
Chronic Parking Violations 1
What’s With the PNC? 2
PNC Bylaws—Article II 2
Do not Expect Results 3
Street Storage of Vehicles 3
An Honest Living 4
Commendation Award 4
CHRONIC PARKING VIOLATIONS OF SEC. 80.73.1.
Back To Basics?
Not long ago the newly elected Mayor announced that he would be taking City Govern-
ment "Back to basics" Apparently, when it comes to Pacoima, that statement meant, "basically
continue ignoring" the enforcement of current Municipal codes and City ordinances such as:
SEC. 80.73. UNLAWFUL PARKING – PEDDLERS – VENDORS.
It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any vehicle, wagon, or pushcart
for the purpose of peddling, hawking, displaying or offering for sale therefrom any goods, wares,
merchandise, fruit, vegetables, beverages, or food of any kind, on any street within this City except
as provided for in this section. (Amended by Ord. No. 174,284, Eff. 12/8/01.)
Street vending has not only multiplied but it appears to be protected by City Government
when they choose to avoid enforcing the law; recently a meeting scheduled to take place at Mary
Immaculate Church was moved to the Foothill Station, at this meeting there were three (3) com-
munity members unable to enter the office where the meeting took place as they were informed
that there was space for "only one person", Was this an intimidation tactic? It is intimating to meet
with a Captain, a Sergeant, Senior Lead Officer and a member of the L.A Human Relation Commis-
sion to address a community issue that you complaint about on a regular basis and they ignore on
a regular basis. The intent of the meeting may have been to keep a community member from con-
stantly calling to report/complaint about Street vending and yard sales "on sidewalks" but, isn't
that the responsible way to address the issue? You should be able to call as many times as it takes
to get results!
Apparently a community member should fear being accused of harassment by reporting
the same issue, several times but street vendors can be at the same location on a daily basis with-
out fearing law enforcement. Based on the following statement "Vending is illegal on public
streets in the city of Los Angeles whether or not you have a permit." made by Susan J. Chung,
Deputy City Attorney/Neighborhood Prosecutor, Foothill Division and the fact that street vending
and yard sales are virtually invisible to all City enforcing agencies, we would like to ask the follow-
ing question: Are they following the Mayor's directive to ignore enforcing the laws that would
eliminate these problems or are they simply ignoring their jobs and responsibilities? The same
way, That, "Making a living" is not an excuse to break the law; "Not enough resources" is not an
excuse to ignore enforcing the law! Interpretation of the law is based on the desire to act and en-
force or avoid and ignore it contents. What do you think?

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Pacoima Today JULY 2016
Volume 4 Issue 3
What about The Pacoima Neighborhood Council (PNC)?
After fourteen (14) years of being certified, The PNC has managed to reach a "Failure" status as a
legal extension of City Government; among their "big accomplishments" are consistency in (mostly the
same) the membership, inability to generate minutes of their meetings, inability to generate a budget re-
port, inability to notify the public about their meetings in a timely manner, fund everyone else's projects
and not creating their own, spend money on outreach giveaways, without having outreach activities of their
own. You might want to believe that an unpaid volunteer should not be held accountable to such higher
standards and, since their official capacity is only "to advise the City" they should be afforded some lenien-
cy; but, those are "elected positions," you are voted in by the community, to represent the community. All
board members needed to prove "eligibility" prior to being a candidate and/or serving on the board
(PNC). Why would any of them want to meet the requirements and then ignore the responsibilities?
ARTICLE II PURPOSE (From PNC By Laws)
A. "The MISSION of the PNC, a culturally diverse community, is to improve quality of life by pro-
moting participation in City governance, facilitating delivery of City services, and empowering Stakeholders
by sharing information and education. Whereby, Pacoima will ultimately become a greater community."
PNC cannot improve the quality of life or promote participation in City governance with a two (2)
hour meeting per month and without proper outreach; cannot facilitate the delivery of City services when
the council's office and City departments attend their meetings only to inform of their activities or request
sponsorship (funding) for their activities "and not to hear" the PNC talk about community concerns or rec-
ommendations. "Comments" are not the same as "recommendations" and "questions" are not the same as
"concerns" PNC should establish a comprehensive community assessment and address each area of con-
cern with the appropriate City department, the Mayor's office and/or City Council member.
"You cannot share what you don't know to a community you can't reach" Each board member
should know the good, the bad and the ugly of Pacoima and create (together) a work plan to address ac-
cordingly.
LAPD constantly walk among or drive by residents violating city ordinanc-
es and laws and yet keep driving or walking. Residents frequently ask:
“Do they get out of the Police vehicles for anything besides Murders and
Homicides?”

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Pacoima Today July 2016
The
Pacoima Today would like to acknowledge the following "micro" business in Pacoima for
their dedication. Rain or shine, their consistency deserves to be admired. All day every day,
the public can depend on their services. Their presence gives a new meaning to the phrase
"an honest living." They are honestly breaking the law in order to make a living. They really
deserve the City's commendation for their efforts and accomplishments.
There are two senior lead officers in Pacoima, we appreciate their efforts but, these concerns
are not new and neither are they, in their positions. Are they, the only ones to address these
issues?
The Mayor, Councilpersons and Department Heads must demand that all city employees perform
their jobs and relieve the burdens dumped on the LAPD. Citizens expect the LAPD to solve ailment this
city suffer. And it’s wrong.
SEC. 80.73. UNLAWFUL PARKING – PEDDLERS – VENDORS.
It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park any vehicle, wagon, or pushcart for the purpose of peddling,
hawking, displaying or offering for sale therefrom any goods, wares, merchandise, fruit, vegetables, beverages, or food of
any kind, on any street within this City except as provided for in this section. (Amended by Ord. No. 174,284, Eff.

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Pacoima Today July 2016
Volume 4 Issue 3
With equal emphasis Pacoima Today would like the City Council and the Mayor to issue a
Commendation (Award) to LADOT. Parking Enforcement, Building and Safety (LADBS) and
LAPD for their amazing ability to avoid enforcing the laws, municipal codes and City ordi-
nances. Hot or cold there is consistency in their lack of enforcement.
SEC. 80.73.2. USE OF STREET FOR STORAGE OF VEHICLES – GENERALLY – WHEN PROHIBITED. (Amended
by Ord. No. 177,569, Eff. 7/3/06.) It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or who has possession,
custody or control of any vehicle to park that vehicle or leave it standing upon any highway, street or al-
ley for 72 or more consecutive hours.

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