September Newsbites For BAHA

***HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND – STAY SAFE!***

It seems there is more going on these days than ever before and many things are time sensitive with rapidly closing windows for action… please read on!

***The 2020 Census *** closes on September 30th. If you haven’t filed yours you can do it now at: https://my2020census.gov/

***Speed Humps*** The next speed hump application window will open Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 8 a.m. PST on this website: https://ladot.lacity.org/projects/safety-programs/speed-humps LADOT will only accept 450 applications from the entire City of LA, and since there will be many people applying, it might be helpful to be on the LADOT application website when it opens at 8:00 am.

Want a speed hump on your street? BAHA residents can apply to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) for a speed hump to be installed on their street. BAHA is not, at this time, taking a position on additional speed humps, but does want to provide information to our residents in the event an additional speed hump in your area is desired. The Speed Hump Program opens up a review cycle every 6 months to take petitions for speed humps.

Full information on speed humps is available by clicking on the Documents link at the above website address, and also at https://ladot.lacity.org/documents/speed-humps . Here is some additional information and assistance from BAHA:

1. As you will see when you read the Speed Hump Documents on LADOT’s website, LADOT requires that the desired speed hump location a) is visible from 150 feet away in both directions; and b) does not have a road grade greater than 7% for 150 feet in either direction (i.e. a 10.5 foot height change over 150 feet). There are online tools, including Google Earth, that can help you estimate distance and road grade/height. If you are still having trouble estimating distance and/or road grade after trying the online tools, and if you are a BAHA member, you may contact us at [email protected] prior to September 9th, 2020 and we will help you estimate whether your desired location meets LADOT requirements.
2. If you get an application request in on time on September 16th, the next steps involve demonstrating to LADOT that your neighbors support speed humps (as described in Steps 2 and 3 of the documents on LADOT’s website). However, since these requirements were designed for typical Los Angeles street segments (blocks), and our neighborhood’s “blocks” are much longer than typical, LADOT says they will work with applicants so that the requirements to demonstrate neighborhood support are not too onerous.

***FAA Replied to Task Force Recommendations***

Basically, the gist of their letter is that the FAA will NOT implement ANY of the Task Force recommendations. See the letter here: http://hollywoodburbankairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FAA-Response-to-SSFVTF-Recommendations-SEP-012020.pdf If you’d like to learn more and join a group that has a good plan to fight back please visit www.sosla.org and donate today. This is time sensitive due to government comment windows.

***Party Houses*** Party houses are a big problem in Los Angeles and especially in the hills of the Santa Monica Mountains. There are laws on the books now that may help. The Party House Ordinance (http://davidryu.lacity.org/press_release_party_house_ordinance_goes_into_effect) went into effect in April 2018 and short term rentals are governed by the Home Sharing Ordinance, in effect in November 2019 (https://planning.lacity.org/plans-policies/initiatives-policies/home-sharing). Also, see attachments at the end of Newsbites. Covid-19 is covered by Safe LA Orders (i.e., dealing with number of people allowed to gather). LAPD and the City Attorney can now address party house issues in a better way than before. Also there is a new agreement with Airbnb as of August 31st, 2020, with a programming tool that allows the City to remove listings from rental sites if they do not have the necessary permit for short term rentals.

Here is what to do if there is any evidence of an unruly party, large amounts of people arriving, loud music etc:

1. Get the address of the disturbance.
2. Call the LAPD non-emergency number, (877) ASK LAPD which is (877) 275-5273, to make a report so that a record is created of the call for service. After giving the complaint be sure to ask the operator for the incident number.
3. Contact BAHA so we can follow up with LAPD. You can email BAHA at [email protected] or leave a message on our phone line at 310-476-0322. Be sure to tell us your name, contact information and the party location, date, time and incident number from your call to LAPD.
4. Be patient if LAPD cannot immediately respond. The record of the call will be useful for LAPD to confront the property owner(s) and to forward on to the LA City Attorney.

***Homeless Encampments*** Homeless encampments are illegal in the hillsides because of the potential for starting a wildfire. LAPD needs our help in reporting anything we see that would indicate a homeless encampment here so they can enforce the rule and move people out of the area. If you can see anything that needs to be reported please let BAHA know by emailing us at [email protected] or by leaving a message on our phone line at 310-476-0322. You can also call LAPD directly at (877) ASK LAPD, which is 877-275-5273, with the information and if you do that please be sure to let BAHA know the incident number.

***Increasing Thefts in Our Area*** There has been an increase in the number of thefts from autos in our area. An officer from the West Los Angeles precinct spoke to our Board recently and stated that many of the thefts are the result of “opportunity thefts.” That is, the thieves find cars on the street that are unlocked and they take advantage of the opportunity. So please remember to always lock your car when you park on the street or in your driveway, and always take valuables inside your home.

***Volunteers Wanted*** Don’t have the time or desire to volunteer for a BAHA Committee but still want to help your neighborhood, relieve COVID boredom, or need something for your work or college resume? Whether you only have time for the occasional quick call or want to take on all or part of a project, use your special skill to help your community!

Some of the areas where BAHA could use your help:

• Web Design
• Photography
• Writing/Journalism
• IT (Computers, Security Cameras, hardware, software, etc.)
• Organizing (we have decades of old BAHA and RVA records that need organizing prior to scanning, and every little bit helps!)
• Architecture
• Lobbying, Social Organizing, Legislative, Research (to help advance our neighborhood’s interests)
• Other – tell us what you like to do, or how you want to help your neighborhood!

Contact us at [email protected]. Thank you.

***Bike Theft*** Bike theft is a growing problem as more people are biking these days. Be sure to register your bike so that if it is stolen you have a chance to get it back and prove it is yours. Also, if you don't register it and it is stolen, the thief or new owner can register it as theirs and then it will never be coming home to you. Here is the information on what to do to keep your bike yours: https://bikeindex.org/