*The mayor of Los Angeles has ordered utility shutoffs for residents that host illegal house parties and large gatherings amid COVID-19.
Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Wednesday that he has authorized the Department of Water and Power to shut off utilities to homeowners who violate coronavirus restrictions.
“While we have already closed all bars and nightclubs, these large house parties have essentially become nightclubs in the hills,” he said during a press conference, as reported by Deadline.
“Starting on Friday night, if LAPD responds and verifies that a large gathering is occurring at a property, and we see these properties offending time and time again, they will provide notice and initiate the process to request that DWP shut off service within the next 48 hours,” Garcetti said.
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“We will not act lightly, but we will act,” he added. “You’re breaking the law. Just as we can shut down bars breaking alcohol laws, in places that are in criminal violations, we can shut them down … We can actually do the power or water shutoff after a first violation, but we like to educate, not enforce.”
The announcement came hours after LA City Councilman David Ryu introduced a motion that called for harsher penalties, such as utility shutoffs, per Complex.
The motion reads in part:
Property owners in Los Angeles, particularly those adjacent to now-closed Hollywood nightlife locations, have been responsible for renting out residences as “party houses.” These locations are endangering all Angelenos by enabling large, close-contact, largely maskless gatherings, in direct violation of City Emergency Orders and County Health Orders. In addition to the current fines available for use in gaining compliance at these locations, properties which are used to flout public health guidance have violated the public trust, endangered lives, and should be shuttered by having their Certificates of Occupancy revoked and water and power shut off.
“Many times, the homes are vacant, or used for short term rentals, and beyond the noise, the traffic and nuisance, these large parties are unsafe and can cost Angelenos their lives,” Garcetti said.
Violating the order prohibiting parties and large gatherings is “a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both,” the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a statement.
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