7 On Your Side Investigates: Homeless encampment near Esperanza Elementary School in Westlake returns

WESTLAKE DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES () — Parents – and even the Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent – want action after an encampment near a school in the Westlake District has popped up again.

The encampment is located on Wilshire Boulevard near Little Street, and it was first reported by 7 On Your Side Investigates.

Dozens of children walk past it every day as they go to and from Esperanza Elementary School.

“I would die before I do that,” said David Alexander when talking about letting his three children walk alone near the encampment.

“I’ve seen syringes, I’ve seen bottles of alcohol,” said Patricia Garcia, another parent at the school.

Many children who walk through the area said what really bothers them is the stench, which they described as “smelling like poop.”

As 7 On Your Side Investigates walked through the area – it appeared the encampment is a lot bigger now with more trash.

“They just kind of fold there, and you know, they’re aggressive,” said Alex Athanian, a paralegal whose office is right above the tents.

READ ALSO | LA banned homeless encampments near schools, so why is 1 near 2 LAUSD campuses?

In 2022, city council passed Municipal Code 41.18, which states, “No person shall sit, lie, sleep, or store… personal property… within 500 feet of a school.”

“Obviously, there is a breakdown in terms of the enforcement of current city policy,” said LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, who spoke one-on-one with 7 On Your Side Investigates. “I cannot accept homeless encampments near schools.”

But one person who would not speak to 7 on camera about the encampment was City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the area.

Her office said “an upcoming fence installation is the long-term solution to securing this area” and that they’re “pursuing more durable, long-term solutions … and real pathways to housing for residents living outdoors.”

Mayor Karen Bass’ office says it “will coordinate with Council District 1 to find immediate resources to house those living in the encampment.”

The mayor’s team said outreach workers started engaging with homeless people in the area this week.

So it sounds like there’s now momentum to get the encampment cleaned up and the Los Angeles Police Department has a role in the move too.

A captain told 7 On Your Side Investigates that officers are working on getting rid of violent criminals in that encampment so city services will have an easier time housing the non-violent homeless people there.