Price comments onSouth LA settlement

Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price (Ninth District) released the following statement regarding the settlement for the homeowners and residents affected by the botched LAPD bomb squad operation on June 30, 2021 that injured 17 people, damaged 35 properties and displaced 80 residents:
“The victims of the 27th Street fireworks explosion have endured unimaginable pain and trauma that will last a lifetime. Reaching these financial settlements were a crucial step toward their healing, rebuilding their lives, and finding stability and peace.
“Over the past three years, this process has been agonizingly slow, and on behalf of the City of Los Angeles, I regret that it took so long to reach this point. However, getting here wasn’t easy and required the collective effort of multiple departments, lawyers, and other stakeholders, presenting significant challenges along the way.
“I understand the victims’ continued frustration, but my office has never abandoned them. Our commitment to supporting every single household has been steadfast since day one. We have advocated for emergency funds, provided interim housing, established a neighborhood resource center, facilitated home repairs, distributed grants, and ensured access to basic necessities such as medicine, clothing and food. Additionally, we collaborated with medical professionals to offer check-ups, mental health services, and other vital support, and worked with interagency partners and nonprofits to obtain housing vouchers, relocation assistance, and other social services.
“The truth is, this incident should never have happened and was entirely preventable, and we’re still reeling from it all these years later. It is my firm expectation that the LAPD has learned from this disaster and has taken every necessary step to prevent such tragedies from occurring ever again in the future for the sake of our city.”