Playing Payback (and with lives) Politics regarding the Homeless Crisis in Northeast LA?

Are supporters of CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar using the Homeless Issue against CD 1 City Councilman Gil Cedillo, in a game of Payback Politics, while the CD 14-located Bridewell Armory sits vacant after years of empty promises?

CD 14 City Councilman addressing a question regarding the still-vacant, Bridewell Armory during a 2011 Campaign Meet and Greet at the Highland Park Senior Center.

Highland Park All Saints Church Father Prescott Clark preping "Sleeping Pews" for the Homeless. 

** Blogger's Note: In the historic annuals of Los Angeles regarding man-made and natural emergencies, you will find countless examples of the "Better Angelinos of Character" who give of themselves when the less fortunate are in need. 

But as we near our supposed date with the latest incarnation of El Nino and its accompanying "Atmospheric River of Drenching Rains", a needless (and life-endangering) game of Payback Politics (mixed with NIMBYism) is impeding what should be a Rapid Response to a pending life-threatening situation along the Arroyo Seco in Northeast LA.

Regardless of one's thoughts regarding the genesis of the current Homeless Crisis in the City of Los Angeles, the blunt, non-political reality is that a pending El Nino Winter that lives up to its "Godzilla Billing" is going to kill .........., especially those who have made the likes of the Arroyo Seco and other water courses (the LA River, Tujunga Wash and others) across LA home.

For Northeast LA as the LA Times notes, the numbers of Homeless, compare to facilities ready to house them during inclement weather is daunting.

The district — which also encompasses Eagle Rock, Cypress Park, Montecito Heights and Mount Washington — had 800 homeless people in the latest tally in January, but only scattered homeless services and little supportive housing. 

The December 1 Opening of the Highland Park All Saints Episcopal Church (with the help of the Homeless Advocate Group "Recycled Resources") 30-50 Bed/Pew Winter Homeless Shelter on Monte Vista, has mostly been met with positive community reaction, with the support of the Eagle Rock, Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Councils ........., and a potential grant of funding from a just-approved $12.4 Million dollars City Council allocation for immediate Homeless services.

But while funding is on the way for the All Saints Church Shelter, there has not been any mention of a potential emergency usage of a certain city property located within the sound range of a Arroyo Seco at Flood Stage,

In the video posted above, Northeast LA Democratic Activist Al C. Strange asked CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar about future usage of the Bridewell Armory Facility during a 2011 Candidate Forum at the Highland Park Senior Citizen Center. Almost five years later, the location remain vacant as funding for a potential Arts Center is secured.

If the likes of CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar, CD 1 City Councilman Gil Cedillo and Northeast LA Activists were truly committed to preparing for the potential life-threatening conditions cause by the on-coming El Nino Winter, then it would be logical to think that actions would be already commencing to utilize the Bridewell Location.

But instead, those in support of the All Saints Church Shelter, are engaging in a Political Payback Campaign targeting the alleged, non-support of CD 1 Councilman Cedillo. We have previously reported that Cedillo was against the All Saints Shelter location due to zoning (and permit issues).

Homeless advocates said City Councilman Gil Cedillo, who represents part of Highland Park, had vacillated on supporting their project while pushing for anti-loitering signs, cleanups and parking restrictions to run homeless people out of local parks and off city streets. "Nimbyism," Prescott said. 

In fairness to Councilman Cedillo, the documented Huizar-allied supporters of the All Saints Shelter, which include the likes of Highland Park Neighborhood Council President Monica Alcarez, Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council President David Greene and Highland Park Chamber of Commerce Member Yolanda Noguiera, have remain silent in espousing usage for the Bridewell Location.

We should note that from the video above, Councilman Huizar commented about the Hazard Armory and its usage by his created Connected Non-Profit Legacy LA (without the needed renovations just recently funded by former Supervisor Gloria Molina). Thus, Councilman Huizar and his Northeast LA allies, need to dispense with the "Politics of Payback" or face with being labeled the true NIMBYs responsible for not aiding those (by providing and funding facilities) within CD-14 who could tragically become victims in the weeks ahead----Scott Johnson in CD 14.