Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian has claimed that a neighboring city's police department abandoned a homeless man in his backyard. The incident, captured on video, has sparked a call for accountability and a thorough investigation.
Krekorian, who represents Los Angeles' 2nd District, shared surveillance footage on Friday through FOX 11 reporter Matthew Seedorff. The video appears to show two officers from the Burbank Police Department escorting a homeless man out of their patrol vehicle.
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The man seems to be either screaming or talking to himself before he eventually lies down on the ground. According to Krekorian, the officers left the man right in front of his office in North Hollywood on Thursday before getting back into their car and driving away. The man appeared to be experiencing some form of emotional distress.
Councilman @PaulKrekorian filed a motion Friday urging an investigation into this incident and to take appropriate legal action against the City of Burbank and Burbank Police. pic.twitter.com/zHoZ4Fa1Es
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) June 7, 2024
Krekorian expressed his outrage in a letter to the Los Angeles City Council. He accused neighboring communities, particularly Burbank, of shirking their responsibilities regarding homelessness. Krekorian argued that these communities are effectively dumping their homeless population into Los Angeles, leaving the city to handle the problem.
He described this practice as "disgusting." In response to the incident, Krekorian filed a motion on Friday demanding that the City of Burbank take responsibility for their actions. He called for a full investigation into the matter to ensure accountability.
Providing more context to the situation, law enforcement sources informed TMZ that officers had responded to a call about a naked man on a bench. The officers reportedly provided the man with clothes and a ride, which they claimed he requested. According to these sources, the man was taken to the location he asked for because he did not meet the criteria for a psychiatric hold.
Burbank Police Statement Regarding Events of June 6, 2024
— Burbank Police (@BurbankPD) June 8, 2024
Read a pdf version here: https://t.co/bJvZSavpTC pic.twitter.com/GoMoDhKZIV
Burbank Police Department has responded to the allegations, aligning their narrative with what the law enforcement sources told TMZ. The department stated that the man had asked to be dropped off at a bus station but was let out when he requested. Burbank PD has announced that they are launching an investigation into the incident.
Councilman Krekorian’s demand for accountability and an investigation underscores the need for a coordinated and compassionate approach to address the issue of homelessness.