PPCC Hears Local Issues

By DEBORAH STAMBLER | Contributing Writer

At the Pacific Palisades Community Council (PPCC) meeting on April 28, the majority of the discussion focused on an update from the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness (PPTFH) and an emerging situation with practice and game space for AYSO.

PPTFH reps presented a summary of the group’s activities. The model for tackling the homelessness issue remains enforcement, offering services and education.

Continued support from LAPD has led to beach sweeps five times per week with the Transient Unit coming in once a week.

In conjunction with OPCC and the Sanitation Department, encampments representing fire hazards have been disbanded.

PPTFH has requested LAPD bike patrols throughout the summer to continue to address the issue. Approval for the allocation of funds for bike patrols is pending.

Outreach to homeless individuals through a contract with OPCC has been in place for three months. In that time, PPTFH member Doug McCormick reported that 106 homeless people have been contacted and 10 have gone into housing.

On the education front, Nina Kidd shared that current efforts include a premiere of the play “The Liar’s Punishment” to be presented at the Pierson Playhouse on May 21 and 22. The play tells the story of a homeless woman and the social services worker who reaches out to her. The event is a fundraiser for PPTFH and OPCC. Tickets are available at theatrepalisades.org.

PPTFH Chair Maryam Zar shared news that there are students at Palisades Charter High School who are living out of their cars. Little information is available about this population, but the school is aware of the situation, Zar said.

The ensuing discussion was an expression of caring and a desire to help these students. No formal plan was suggested, but the issue clearly touched many people.

The current difficulty faced by AYSO was another issue that elicited many comments and questions.Finding fields for the program has proved challenging. AYSO reps Janet Anderson and George Wolfberg reported that a club team is currently slated to take over half of the field at Paul Revere Charter Middle School.

Over the years, AYSO has spent more than $100,000 to improve the fields at Paul Revere. The loss of space for practice and games could result in the AYSO being forced to shrink their program. PPCC members offered suggestions for ways to bring the community together to protect the thriving AYSO program.

The next PPCC meeting is scheduled for May 12 and planned agenda items include Officer Nominations and Short Term Rentals.