Trutanich Reaches out to Skid Row
Thursday, September 3
"The people here need a hand , but not a heavy hand." - Carmen Trutanich walks in skid row
It was a warm evening and the end of a long , hot month with people all over the streets of skid row gathering near the Midnight Mission to get ready for their evening ritual. The usual suspects gathered in front of the brown facade of the front gateway leading into the Midnight Mission. We were all waiting for the person that was mentioned who would make the walk skid row walk tonight . Suddenly , someone pointed in the direction of 6th and San Julian. There was a contingency of City Attorney's and LAPD Commissioner's and also Carmen Trutanich. Carmen Turtanich is the New Los Angeles City Attorney. Many are wondering what will happen on his watch. Will he cave in to to the ACLU , will he do the overkill when it comes to enforcement?
Below, in his own words, as he is interviewed by Eric Richardson from blogdowntown.com , we hear that he is no dummy and he is pragmatic and he will do what is prescribed within the law to deal with skid row.
If a man's character is displayed by his actions , tonight, Carmen Trutanich displayed something not seen in politicos who come to skid row. I have watched and sometimes pondered at how some of the scenes seem staged , yet , tonight, I Knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that Carmen Trutanich, reaching out his hand to shake the hand of a man who is about to sleep on the sidewalk , a man who wanted to show Carmen Trutanich his bed on top of cardboard, illustrated that this New City Attorney was not afraid of the residents of skid row and he cared, genuinely.
The main thing was this man was not afraid of human beings who were in dire straits. I have never really seen this display in these politicos , only in Antonio Villaraigosa, And Jan Perry , and Jose Huizar when he comes down here. But Mr. Trutanich's willingness to speak with the denizens of skid row is amazing. His physically reaching out to them was the best symbol which may portend even better changes coming to skid Row. In his responses he seemed to be willing to try and not say he had all of the answers , but willing to work with all sides of the community to find solutions.
Pigeons looking over a skid row street like sentinels as Senior Lead Officer Joseph explains the problems with the public feedings... they congregate where the public feedings take place.
Officer Joseph explaining the physical hygiene of the streets and how public feedings bring vermin such as Pigeons , Rats , and Roaches and also how a big company did not want to stay because of this.In the current recession there are many people who are finding themselves on the streets because of lost jobs and it was good to hear Carmen Trutanich mention this. In skid row there are many who have barriers that get in the way of employment and it is important that the issue of community courts, and other restorative justice programs are implemented. It was impressive , but time will tell what is up with our new City Attorney.
I also witnessed something different other than the norm. Many Times, on these walks, people who find themselves in skid row will walk up to these strangers in suits and updated fashion and out of the blue ask for a job. Well, Carmen Trutanich took one of these people, who happens to live in the Midnight Mission, up on that , and said he will help him find a job. Amazing!!!! Simply amazing.
"The people here need a hand , but not a heavy hand." "But the people who prey on them I will prey on them."Carmen Trutanich
"There are human beings[here] that want to retain some sort of dignity." Carmen Trutanich
From someone who has been struggling to spread that message , these are words of hope. Dignity.
