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LAPD
should exercise responsibility for film permits
June 10th
EDITOR'S NOTE: On Tuesday June 10th I heard Mr. Guiton speak
in the Public Comment period at the Police Commission and suggested
he
might
wish to
offer his
thoughts here. He also sent along some additional information.
This is the content of my statement to Police Commission 6/10/03:
"Good
morning ladies and gentlemen. My name is Tom Guiton. I
live in the Art District. I have two simple requests:
1. I
am here once again to request that you use your offices
to exercise your responsibility for the policies and practices
under which film permits are issued by the Special Events
section (of LAPD). LAPD has the responsibility for issuing
and enforcing these permits- and for establishing reasonable
procedures that provide public input as well as protection
of our health, safety, and rights. At the very least, LAPD
should have official representation at any contract re-negotiations
or oversight discussions with the EIDC (Entertainment Industry
Development Corporation) or any other agency involving
their permits. It only makes sense!
2. Also
I request that you use your influence and office to stop
the headlong rush to build a New Parker Center in a developing
residential area, in contradiction to existing City Plans
(I think it's Central City North Planning Area, as approved
by the City Council), against the already expressed desires
of the adjacent communities in public meetings, and without
input or advisement from the local neighborhood council.
It only makes sense.
Thank
you." |
(for your information and background)
Yesterday,
I also spoke to the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council
(DLANC) about the "New
Belmont Jail".
I spoke also in support of a measure already approved by DLANC's
Housing Committee asking for representation in any group that negotiates
with EIDC about film permitting. This was tabled for reconsideration
by the Board of DLANC because of a lack of Brown Act public notice.
(I don't think it's necessary for a matter of sending a letter
and it is within the province of the committee. But what do I know?)
HCNC will also be asking for involvement in location filming policies,
practices, procedure, enforcement, etc.
Today, I got
a letter from KPMG, the accounting firm.
On-Location
Filming - community meetings
There
are a series of hearings about "how filming impacts the
lives of you and your neighbors". KPMG will make representations
to the City of Los Angeles for the future after this series of
public forums. Unfortunately, KPMG did not list the Hearing in
our neighborhood (at SCI-Arc June 17, 2003 6:30 pm). We have already
invited the City Attorney's office to send someone for legal expertise,
two City Council members, EIDC representatives, and two neighborhood
councils. Nearly all will attend. County representatives will also
be invited, including the prosecutors and Supervisors. I called
KPMG about the omission. They have not responded. Today, I got my first e-mail film notification from EIDC. The
conditions and description of the planned and permitted activities
violate Special Conditions for the community and policies of the
City as well as civil, administrative, parking, and other legal
niceties.
At this point, I consider such notifications to be threats to
my civil rights, property rights, and health and safety. To tell
me in advance that they will stop me from the usual, normal use
of a public thoroughfare (while allowing others to use that thoroughfare)
is a threat to my right to use a public service or institution
and denies me equal treatment under the law. This is part of a
continuing pattern and practice of denial of due process and equal
treatment. These procedures are unfair, unjust, and illegal.
I am not only angry, I am afraid. I live very near a chemical
storage facility. When will some film crew set it ablaze? How many
people will have to die before someone in a position of authority
realizes there is a problem? Let me restate that: How many innocent,
civilians have to die for our representatives to have the guts
to start asking some questions about how much blood is on their
campaign funds?
Thanks for listening.
Thomas A. Guiton
Downtown LA
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