Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo Calls for Justice for Victim Burned After Flammable Liquid Was Thrown at Them at a Homeless Encampment in Lincoln Park

(Los Angeles, CA) – Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (AD-51) is calling for a thorough investigation of the horrific assault in which an unhoused individual was burned after flammable liquid was thrown at them in a Lincoln Park homeless encampment last Wednesday. Community members are asked to assist LAPD with any leads by calling the front desk of the Hollenbeck Community Detective Division at 323-342-8900.

“The victim of this horrific crime is a human being whose life is worth no less than anyone else’s. Their life matters. They deserve the best medical care, all of our thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery, and a conclusive investigation that makes the pursuit of justice possible,” said Assemblywoman Carrillo. “Tragically the number of fires linked to homelessness in Los Angeles has tripled in the past three years. For those experiencing homelessness, the risk is immediate and deadly. Many have suffered burns, the destruction of the documents they need to access services, the loss of irreplaceable photos and family heirlooms, and some have even lost their lives. At least three of our unhoused neighbors have died in fires this year. Their lives mattered. The lives of all unhoused persons do,” she added.

The victim, who is homeless, suffered burns and is in serious condition but is expected to survive. It was unclear whether the alleged attacker was also homeless. While some people sleep in tents in Lincoln Park, others who live near the park stay in cars or recreational vehicles along Valley Boulevard. A mobile shower site that provides aid to homeless people throughout LA County also visits the park frequently.

According to Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) records, and slightly more than half the fires the agency has responded to this year have been related to the unhoused community. On average, there have been 24 fires related to homelessness in Los Angeles each day this year. Investigators believe most of those attacks stemmed from disputes between members of encampments, though attacks on encampments from outside the community have also taken place. A third of the fires that the LAFD labeled as homeless-related were determined to be arson, records show, yet only 6% of these arsons in the past two years have led to an arrest.

Fighting for Additional Resources:

The State of California is poised to do more than ever before to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness in terms of investments in housing and support services. In a proposal aligned with the Assembly Budget Blueprint that Assemblywoman Carrillo championed as Chair of Budget Subcommittee 4 for State Administration, Governor Gavin Newsom recently proposed $12 billion to get more people experiencing homelessness off the streets and into homes of their own as part of his May Revise to the 2021-22 state budget.

• The largest investment of its kind in California history, these funds would provide 65,000 people with housing placements, more than 300,000 people with housing stability and create 46,000 new housing units.
• Governor Newsom’s proposal includes $8.75 billion over two years to create an estimated 46,000 housing units, expanding on a program he launched last year to convert motels and other properties into housing. Nearly half the money would go toward housing in places where people with mental health and other behavioral issues can get services onsite.
• The Governor also proposed spending $3.5 billion on rental subsidies, new housing and shelter resources with the aim of ending family homelessness within five years. It would help families with minors avoid losing their homes in the first place or help them get sheltered without spending days, weeks or months on a waitlist.
• The proposed California Comeback Plan includes almost $50 million in targeted programs and grants to local governments, to move people out of unsafe, unhealthy encampments and into safer, more stable housing. Governor Newsom’s plan aims to provide stable housing for thousands of vulnerable aged youth experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness by targeting resources through Homekey and supporting various youth-focused grant programs. In addition, the plan calls for stricter enforcement measures of state housing law and investments into proven strategies, ensuring local governments are meeting targets to reduce homelessness.
• The Governor also proposed an additional $1.5 billion investment to clean public spaces near highways and transform public spaces through arts and cultural projects. The initiative is expected to create an estimated 15,000 jobs, including for people experiencing or exiting homelessness, at-risk youth, veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals.
• The Governor is proposing the goal of ending family homelessness within five years.

Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo was elected as the representative of the 51^st Assembly District in December of 2017. She is the Chair of Budget SubCommittee #4 on State Administration, and a member of the Appropriations, Budget, Health, Privacy and Consumer Protection, and Utilities and Energy Committees, and serves as Chair of the Select Committee on Uplifting Girls and Women of Color. Assemblywoman Carrillo represents the people of East Los Angeles, Northeast Los Angeles, and the neighborhoods of El Sereno, Echo Park, Lincoln Heights, Chinatown and parts of Silver Lake.