Enforcement and regulatory activities in the Division fall within three general categories: “construction”, “public health and safety”, and “community/event based operations.”
Bureau of Street Services Investigators are granted law enforcement authority for solid waste matters by California Health and Safety Code Section 117560 (authority to arrest for “solid waste” dumping violations), California Penal Code Sections 830.7 j (peace officer power of arrest related to illegal dumping), 836.5 (public officer status), 11105 c (authority to obtain criminal history information) and Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 61.07 a (authority to enforce laws and ordinances related to public property).
Investigators meet State mandated selection standards for peace officers (Government Code Section 1029) and State training requirements for law enforcement officers (California Penal Code Section 832). Street Services Investigators work under a Memorandum of Agreement with the Los Angeles Police Department as an authorized outside agency authorized to use the jail and evidence facilities of the Police Department. Working cooperatively, the Bureau of Street Services and the LAPD have had a significant impact on illegal dumping, non-compliant vending, illegal sign posting and other public right-of-way related “broken windows” type violations of laws or ordinances.
Within the area of construction related operations: the Division utilizes a permit based system to regulate the use of cranes, the placement and storage of building materials and equipment, the construction of protective fences, walk through canopies, the importing/exporting of earth materials, fire apparatus tests (excess water on streets), imperilment of lateral support of streets and sidewalks, the movement of houses and other extra-legal loads, and Rail Traffic Construction Impact Area Ordinance enforcement.
Public health and safety related operations include: visibility obstructions at intersections; illegal sign removal; obstructions in public rights-of-way; entrance canopies, broken sidewalks, curbs and driveway approaches; illegal dumping of combustible or non-combustible rubbish on public property or private premises; sidewalk cleaning contract oversight.
Community/event based operations involve: temporary street closures (special events) for community based organizations or neighborhood watch groups, sidewalk selling activities, bus bench and street furniture contract inspections.
One Investigator is assigned to each of the 24 maintenance districts. Each district is comprised of approximately 250 centerline miles. The Division's mission is to improve the quality of life for the public by increasing safety and cleanliness levels throughout the city and by making public rights-of-way more aesthetically pleasing. Division Investigators are encouraged to accomplish the objectives primarily by voluntary compliance, taking into consideration that most contacts are with individuals that are tied to the community (property owners, business owners, contractors and developers). The Division acts as a liaison and provides referrals to and for other agencies. based organizations or neighborhood watch groups, sidewalk selling activities, bus bench and street furniture contract inspections.
COMMON PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY VIOLATIONS
- NON-COMPLIANT STREET VENDING OR SALES ACTIVITIES
- ILLEGAL DUMPING ON PUBLIC STREETS AND ALLEYS
- ILLEGALLY POSTING SIGNS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
- OBSTRUCTIONS ON PUBLIC STREETS (Bins, Storage Containers)
- TRASH CANS (Left on street on non-pick up days)
- EXCESSIVE FLUID DISCHARGE ON PUBLIC STREETS
- ILLEGAL CURB PAINTING
- ILLEGAL AUTO REPAIR OPERATIONS ON CITY STREETS>DISCHARGE OF OIL OR OTHER ILLEGAL CHEMICALS INTO STORM DRAINS