*A coalition of community leaders from South Los Angeles is calling for Mayor Karen Bass to take a stand against a recent incident that raised serious safety concerns.
They are urging the mayor to denounce threats made against a mentally ill unhoused man by a security guard working for HOPICS (Housing Opportunities Partnership Integrated Care Services).
The coalition is also advocating for improved safety measures that would require all security guards employed at homeless nonprofits receiving city funding to wear body cameras.
The Incident with HOPICS Security
On April 4, 2025, a HOPICS security guard allegedly threatened a mentally ill unhoused man with physical violence. The incident occurred in South Los Angeles, attracting attention from the community. The same security guard was reportedly assisted during this altercation by a friend who is reportedly an active gang member.
Witnesses say that this friend flashed gang signs at a good Samaritan who was attempting to defuse the situation.
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That good Samaritan just happened to be Najee Ali a long-time civil rights activist and the Director of Project Islamic Hope. He later described the encounter, noting how the situation escalated.
“You can clearly see the unhoused person is sitting down calmly outside a building near HOPICS. But he is not on HOPICS property. He’s clearly unarmed and not a threat,” Ali shared. He was troubled by the threat made against the man and felt compelled to intervene.
Najee Ali’s Response
“I heard the threat of violence against a mentally unhoused man by the HOPICS security guard while sitting in traffic congestion. I immediately exited my car, politely trying to defuse the situation and asked the security guard politely to just do his job. But don’t threaten homeless people,” Ali shared while noting his perspective on the incident.
Unfortunately, Ali faced hostility from the security guard. He recalled: “The HOPICS security guard became hostile with me immediately. His friend who was assisting him flashed gang signs at me. He then asks what set I’m from. I was in a state of disbelief. I was only trying to help ensure the safety of a mentally ill unhoused man.”
This incident highlights serious concerns about how security personnel interact with vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing homelessness and mental health issues.
Mayor Bass and HOPICS Funding
Community leaders are calling on Mayor Karen Bass to take immediate action. They believe it is essential for her to address these issues, especially since taxpayer dollars fund HOPICS.
“What happened outside of HOPICS should not be tolerated by anyone. Mayor Karen Bass is helping to fund HOPICS with our tax dollars. The Mayor should be at the forefront of addressing this issue by having a zero-tolerance policy against bullying and threatening the unhoused and mentally ill for any nonprofit receiving city funding,” Ali stated.
Additionally, Ali emphasized a new policy proposed by Mayor Bass, which calls for body cameras for all security guards working at homeless agencies that receive city funding. This policy aims to enhance accountability and ensure that vulnerable individuals are treated with respect and dignity.
HOPICS’ Funding and Accountability
It is worth noting that HOPICS has received over $140 million in funding from city tax dollars over the past three years. Ali expressed disappointment with HOPICS: “HOPICS has to do better. That security guard who threatened a mentally ill unhoused man with violence should be fired immediately.”
Rather than terminating the guard, HOPICS Executive Director Veronica Lewis reportedly transferred him to another office. This decision has sparked outrage among community leaders who feel it undermines accountability.
UPDATE! At approximately 3:12pm Pacific (on 04-06-25) EUR was informed that Lewis issued this statement regarding the security guards status: “My team texted me information from our building footage that they’ve been reviewing and based in some of the initial findings the security officer in question is being placed on leave as of tomorrow (Monday/04-07-25) while we continue our investigation.”
Upcoming Press Conference
In response to this incident, a press conference is scheduled to be held to address these concerns:
Date: Monday, April 7
Time: 9AM Pacific
Location: HOPICS, 729 West Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90044
The conference will be sponsored by Project Islamic Hope, led by Najee Ali, along with the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable, represented by President Earl Ofari Hutchinson. Other community activists, including Angel Samuels and several residents who have faced mistreatment by HOPICS staff members, will also participate in the event.
Conclusion
The situation concerning the HOPICS security guard’s threatening behavior reveals critical issues about the treatment of unhoused individuals. Community leaders are demanding accountability from HOPICS and Mayor Karen Bass. They are advocating for measures to ensure the safety and dignity of vulnerable populations in Los Angeles. With the upcoming press conference, it is clear that the community is united in its call for action and change.
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