A judge has blocked the city of Los Angeles’s attempt to dismantle abandoned or inoperable recreational vehicles, resulting in a legal win for Westside homeless advocates.
Legal Challenge Halts RV Removal Program
Superior Court Judge Curtis A. Kin ruled that Los Angeles officials do not have the legal authority to carry out Assembly Bill 630, which permits the dismantling of RVs valued at up to $4,000. The judge stated, “AB 630 provides no such authority to the City of Los Angeles.”
AB 630 currently allows only Los Angeles and Alameda counties to implement programs for discarding these vehicles without the usual auction process required for vehicles worth more than $500. The city council voted 12-3 in December to instruct the City Attorney to “immediately” implement AB 630.
The lawsuit was brought by the CD11 Coalition for Human Rights, representing individuals and organizations advocating for the rights of unhoused people. Attorney Shayla Myers, representing the coalition, argued the city was acting illegally and wasting taxpayer resources.
Concerns Over Public Safety and Exploitation
City Councilmember Traci Park, representing coastal neighborhoods, expressed dismay over the ruling, calling it a setback for addressing public health and safety concerns. Park stated that inoperable RVs can attract crime and contribute to waste disposal issues. She also voiced concern over the exploitation of homeless individuals by “vanlords.”
Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez, who authored AB 630, is now working on a new bill to extend disposal authority to all 88 cities within Los Angeles County. Gonzalez has stated the goal is not to penalize unhoused individuals, but to address criminal activity associated with some RV encampments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of AB 630?
AB 630, signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October, increased the financial threshold for Los Angeles and Alameda counties, allowing them to dismantle vehicles worth up to $4,000 without auctioning them.
Who opposed the city’s implementation of AB 630?
Advocates for homeless Angelenos opposed the implementation of AB 630, arguing it would facilitate the seizure and destruction of vehicles used as shelter.
What is the next step for the city of Los Angeles?
City Councilmember Traci Park said she is committed to working with state lawmakers to revise the law to include Los Angeles. Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez is also working on a new bill to address the issue.
As the legal landscape shifts, will Los Angeles be able to find a path forward that balances public safety concerns with the needs of its unhoused population?
