Forum to Be Held on Group Homes

In the wake of rising tensions among San Pedro residents and the operators of vast numbers of group homes in their neighborhood, the Los Angeles City Council’s Housing and Redevelopment Committee plans to hold a public forum tonight to review plans that address the problem.

A citizen task force appointed by City Councilman Rudy Svorinich Jr., outlined 14 recommendations to deal with the estimated 54 group homes in the area. The facilities provide living space for recovering alcoholics, drug addicts and the mentally ill.

Members of Community Advocates for Responsible Environmental Safety, a community group of more than 200 homeowners, argue that the number is more than 70 and the group homes problem is more widespread than the task force is willing to admit. Janet Gunter, co-founder of the organization, said the organization’s members plan to boycott the meeting.

“The deck is stacked against us,” Gunter said.

The task force plans to present its review of the problem with several solutions, including a proposed a two-year moratorium on group homes, aggressive enforcement of unlicensed facilities, a vagrancy ordinance and state legislation to control the homes. The task force has also proposed conducting a survey of 1,000 residents.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Peck Park auditorium, 560 Western Ave.