The president of the Brentwood Homeowners Association hosted a virtual forum tonight that attracted 300 participants, including Mayor Karen Bass, newly appointed City District Attorney Nathan Hochman, and Councilperson Traci Park. The event also featured high-ranking officials from the Department of Water and Power (DWP), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). The forum aimed to address community concerns regarding the recent Palisades Fire and its implications for Brentwood.
Mayor Bass, who joined the meeting from her car, spoke for several minutes but delegated most questions to her staff. During her remarks, she acknowledged the need for systemic changes in response to the fire. However, she expressed surprise at the innovative methods criminals employed to infiltrate the area, including impersonating firefighters. This revelation has raised concerns among residents about her preparedness to handle such challenges moving forward.
In contrast, District Attorney Hochman conveyed a strong commitment to combating crime, outlining various potential criminal enterprises that could target the community. He highlighted elaborate scams on platforms like GoFundMe and the risks posed by unlicensed contractors likely to exploit the situation. Hochman assured attendees that perpetrators would face maximum penalties for their actions.
Councilperson Traci Park, visibly emotional, recounted her experiences during the past two weeks and the profound devastation she observed on both micro and macro levels. She emphasized her commitment to enhancing communication and city services, which she felt were inadequate during the crisis.
The LAFD representatives discussed their intense efforts to combat the fire threatening Sullivan Canyon and Mandeville. They conveyed a clear understanding that failure to contain the blaze in that area could have resulted in catastrophic consequences for both Brentwood and Bel Air.
Officials from the DWP and LAPD also addressed the need for improved coordination in future emergencies, particularly when power outages leave homes vulnerable to burglary. All city officials on the call expressed deep concern regarding anticipated rains and the potential for toxins to wash down from the Palisades into neighboring areas and the Pacific Ocean.
BHA President Thelma Waxman addressed inquiries from members regarding water warnings, air quality, and tree trimming. She assured members that they could reach out to her via email for any follow-up questions. According to the Department of Water and Power (DWP), the water in Brentwood is safe, and they apologized for the false alarm, which was issued out of an abundance of caution. The best source for monitoring air quality is the AQMD website, and both the DWP and the City will prioritize tree trimming in the near future. If you have concerns about trees that are too close to power lines, please contact the DWP at 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397).
The take away from the forum was LA was either unprepared or incapable of containing a perfect storm of high winds and brush fires that wiped out our neighboring community. Hopefully, the apocalyptic warning has been received by all.
Thank you Thelma. We are still in quandary about the exact location of the fire. Although we have searched many suggested sites. As always you did not disappoint and we appreciate you.