Los Angeles Mayor Authorizes City to Shut off Water and Power Service to Properties That Host Large Gatherings

During a Wednesday press conference, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti authorized the city to shut off power and water to properties that violate regulations regarding gatherings. This aims to become a means to “shut these places down permanently.”

“By turning off that power, shutting off that water we feel we can close these places down, which usually are not one-time offenders but multiple-offenders,” Garcetti said.

The mayor then added that local law enforcement officers find it difficult to deal with gatherings. Usually, these gatherings have hundreds of people who break the law.

Garcetti also expressed in a briefing his concerns about reports of large parties and gatherings that violate public health orders.

Los Angeles Mayor Says City May Shut Off Water, Power At Houses Hosting Large Parties : Coronavirus Live Updates : NPR https://t.co/71LBBezwCR

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NPR reported that starting Friday night, houses, businesses, and other venues hosting “un-permitted large gatherings” will face tougher consequences.

“If the LAPD responds and verifies that a large gathering is occurring at a property, and we see these properties reoffending time and time again, they will provide notice and initiate the process to request that [the Department of Water and Power] shut off service within the next 48 hours,” Garcetti said.

The county prohibits any kind of large gatherings. The county's public health orders include this in an effort to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

According to Garcetti, this enforcement will focus on people he described as “determined to break the rules,” who pose a significant threat to public health.

“The consequences of these large parties ripple far beyond just those parties,” Garcetti then said. “They ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread.”

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