Hours before fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades was set to reopen to the public, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass reversed course on the controversial decision, saying Saturday night that the checkpoints blocking off the area would remain in place.
Bass’ 11th-hour announcement came after residents of the devastated coastal enclave voiced widespread fury about the reopening, which was to take effect at 8 a.m. Sunday.
Bass had previously said that the California National Guard, who had been manning checkpoints blocking nonresidents from accessing the community, would be withdrawing.
The mayor had characterized that announcement, which was made during a Friday afternoon webinar for residents, as an important development in the recovery process.
But many residents argued that it was too soon to allow wide access into the area, voicing concerns about toxic pollution, public safety and looting.
City Councilmember Traci Park, who represents the area, and Steve Soboroff, a civic leader appointed by Bass two weeks ago to lead the city’s wildfire recovery effort, had said they thought the reopening was premature. More here