More than a week after the illegal pyrotechnics explosion that got out of control of the authorities in South Los Angeles, several families were able to return yesterday to see their homes.
Among them were the family of Jovana Martínez, her parents and four siblings, who could not believe how their three-bedroom apartment turned out.
Martínez, from years, said that on the day of the explosion she was arriving at her apartment with her family when they heard a shocking noise. Their immediate reaction was to run as they thought it was a bomb.
“My brother from 14 years old he has autism and began to have many headaches, we had to take him to the hospital … My little sister from 10 years was in shock, “he recalled.
He added that He was shocked to see the apartment’s walls and windows broken. The property for now does not have gas or electricity and they were not allowed to inhabit it yet.
“They told us that we can see but that we cannot return to live there yet, we will continue in the hotel,” he said.
Martínez and his family were part of a group of affected families who met privately with Los Angeles authorities to receive advice regarding their material losses as well as the impact on their mental health and their pocket.
Angelina Valencia, spokesperson for Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr. who represents the affected area, said that of the 15 affected structures at least five were multi-family and three have been marked in red .
That means that they cannot return to live there again.
“Our office is committed to continue helping them for those who need to continue staying at the hotel “, explained Valencia.
” At least we know about families who are in hotels. They are 50 individuals in total. ”
He added that the Councilor Price and other partners are helping them get food, with gift cards for necessary purchases, advising them to file their property claims, and connecting them to needed services including general health and mental care.
In addition, Councilman Price filed a motion in Los Angeles City Hall to call for accountability for those guilty of the explosion that spiraled out of control.
“The councilor wants to make sure that the families are fully compensated either for the damage to their vehicles and / or their homes,” said Valencia.
“The families are devastated since their whole life was affected and they had to go through a lot ”.
Ensure there are answers
Ron Gochez, vice president of the South Central Neighborhood Council, said that since the LAPD explosion occurred in his neighborhood, the council is demanding accountability of those who made the decision to detonate the fireworks in the middle of a densely populated neighborhood.
“The residents of the block have confirmed that they were not evacuated and that they were told not to worry because ‘no nothing was going to happen, ‘”he said.
“ We want the names and positions of the people who made the decision and we want them to be fired immediately. ”
The council also requires criminal charges to be brought against those guilty of criminal negligence and “endangering the lives of thousands of people in the community.”
The neighborhood council will hold a community meeting next Monday from Jul io from 5: 00 pm to 8: 00 pm, in Trinity Park located at 2415 Trinity Street. For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/ 930066917840575 /? ref = newsfeed