Title: Urgent Repairs Needed for Hundreds of Power Poles in Los Angeles, Prompting Concerns for Public Safety
Date: May 6, 2023
Los Angeles, CA – The city of Los Angeles is facing a critical situation as hundreds of utility poles are in dire need of immediate repairs.
Karen Bass, a prominent figure, has called upon the department responsible for addressing this issue to take immediate action.
The urgency of the matter came to light following a tragic incident in 2021, where a father and daughter were electrocuted in their own backyard due to a faulty utility pole.
While that particular pole was fixed, many others in the vicinity remain in a hazardous condition.
These neglected poles are scattered over residential areas, backyards, and places where children often play, causing significant concerns among the public.
In the San Fernando Valley, a line of DWP (Department of Water and Power) power poles, including at least four among the 700 identified by officials, are in urgent need of repair.
Visibly crooked and unstable, these poles pose a potential risk to public safety if left unaddressed.
Residents in the area, such as those residing on Ventura Canyon Road, are particularly distressed by the situation, given the proximity of these hazardous poles to their homes.
The DWP has acknowledged the severity of the problem and released a statement, assuring the public that they are working diligently to clear the backlog of repairs.
They recognize that the current state of these power poles poses a mortal danger.
One resident living on Tura Canyon Avenue, where a priority one pole has been identified, emphasized the deadly threat these poles represent.
To provide a better understanding of the situation, the DWP has created an interactive map displaying the locations of the power poles in urgent need of repair.
The majority of these poles are concentrated in the San Fernando Valley.
The map serves as a resource for residents to identify the specific areas affected.
In 2021, the DWP paid a $38 million settlement related to the aforementioned incident in Panorama City.
This settlement highlights the seriousness of the issue and underscores the need for immediate action.
In addition to the 700 poles requiring urgent repairs, there are others in need of attention for non-emergency maintenance.
Karen Bass, along with concerned residents, is demanding that the priority one poles be dealt with by mid-May.
The DWP has stated that they are on track to meet this deadline.
For those interested in viewing the interactive map with detailed information on the affected poles, it can be accessed on the Fox website.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance, and swift action is necessary to address this critical situation.
Residents and officials alike are hopeful that the repairs will be carried out promptly, ensuring the elimination of potential dangers associated with these deteriorating power poles.
