City Council approves more money for families displaced by 2021 South LA firework explosion
South LA residents still without homes after 2021 LAPD fireworks explosion
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: As many as nine families were displaced in the South LA explosion, and many have not been able to return to their homes nearly 21 months after the incident. Now, several families are accusing LA City Council of threatening to kick
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council Wednesday approved an additional $660,000 for victims of a botched detonation of illegal fireworks in a South L.A. neighborhood two years ago.
The Council voted 12-0 to further allocate funding to assist recovery efforts for families and residents affected by the explosion, many of whom still remain displaced from their homes.
Council members Heather Hutt, Katy Yaroslavsky and Curren Price were absent from Wednesday's meeting.
In June 2021, the Los Angeles Police Department conducted a controlled denotation of illegal fireworks seized from a residence on East 27th Street near San Pedro Street. The denotation resulted in an explosion that injured 17 individuals and damaged 22 residences, 13 businesses and 37 vehicles.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- LA City Council approves $2.3M to support victims of 2021 LAPD fireworks explosion
- LAPD bomb squad reportedly ignored expert's warning prior to South LA fireworks blast
- Bomb squad truck carrying illegal fireworks explodes in South LA, 17 people hurt
On Sunday, LAPD Chief Michel Moore announced four members of the department's bomb squad were disciplined for their involvement in the botched operation. In addition, an internal investigation resulted in the implementation of new protocols for the bomb squad to prevent similar events from occurring in the future, according to Moore.
"Even our best intentions cannot take this neighborhood back to where it was before this event occurred," Moore said. "However, as a Department, we remain committed to supporting the impacted residents as we continue to work to make this right."
That effort includes having commanding officers of the department's Newton station meet on a weekly basis with the 27th Street Long Term Recovery Group, Moore said.
The city previously spent $3 million to support and aid residents affected by the fireworks explosion. In March, the council approved an additional $2.3 million for that same effort.
In 2022, the city's Department of Housing reported 23 people in six households had been relocated to permanent housing. Eight more households were ready to relocate and were searching for affordable units.