Did L.A. Fire Department LOSE ALL THEIR RECORDS In A FIRE?

Did L.A. Fire Department LOSE All Their Records In A Fire?

I haven't checked the newspapers or blogs, lately, to see if this has come across the wire, but someone tells me the Los Angeles Fire Department LOST all their records (at least those relating to building inspections) in a FIRE?

So now the department is scrambling to get copies of the records. Apparently, the subcontract out all the inspections, so they have been contacting those outside companies requesting copies of the records. But the subcontracted companies apparantley aren't too happy about spending the time and money for have personnel research and find those records.

HAVEN'T THESE PEOPLE HEARD OF COMPUTERS AND SCANNERS???

We have all heard how the city is using 1950 technology to run the city. Perhaps, this is a by-product of that effect. Don't expect the city to accomplish many of your goals these next couple years. Even if they wanted to do what you ask of them, they don't have the technology, and now they will not have the employees -- and they won't have the employees with the most knowledge and experience.

NEXT CONSTITUTIONAL LAWSUIT AGAINST CITY FROM BUILDING OWNERS: I got a voicemail today from someone saying, "Screw Ed Reyes." Now this caught my attention, because it wasn't someone from Ed's district -- and it wasn't a gadfly or Neighborhood activist who knows or cares about Ed Reyes from a whole in the wall.

The voice mail was from a building owner who received a letter from Ed's PLUM Committee regarding a new sign ordinance requiring building owners to post in a conspicuous place, that renters under rent control have certain rights and to find out more and to report violations call a phone number. It was brought to my attention by this building owner, that in the U.S., it is not someone's job to notify others of their legal rights. And to force building owners to pay for the signage and to be forced to post it, or be subject to a $250 a day fine. (YES, $250 A DAY FINE, if you don't post the sign they make you post where you are required to be Judge Wapner and notify people of the law.) We'll see if it is indeed unconstitutional. Any legal opinions?

And regarding the alleged loss of fire inspection records...I guess that means anyone with previous citations and violations are off the hook with a clean slate, and I heard the department now has to go out and do all new inspections, just when there will be less people to do it.

THIS JUST IN: Here is an email the person sent me who called with this info that says it better...

The LA Housing Department has a $200 Million a year budget yet they are forcing landlords to use their own money and time to post a notice telling tenants the law. Excuse me, but since when do private citizens have to tell other private citizens what the law is. Think about it, the government is forcing a private citizen (housing provider) to tell another private citizen (tenant) what the law is. Otherwise a $250/day fine is slapped on the housing provider. That is the job of the government and their bloated wasted budget. In the LAHD case, they hire out contractors at $100k a pop to inform tenants of what is in rent control.

Also, the landlords were never informed of this new change in law by anyone!! They had to do the research themselves! Talk about double standard!

Ordinance 180769

Amending Sections 151.05 and 151.15 of the LA Municipal Code

Sec 2

1:
...."The Landlord shall post a notice on a form prescribed by the Department, providing information about the Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Department Contact Information"

Sec 4:

..."If the landlord fails to post the notice within seven days of department notification, the landlord shall pay a fine of $250 each day after the seventh day that the landlord fails to post the notice"


LAFD gets all their inspection records burned in a fire and are pestering private contractors licensed for inspection to resend the records. LAFD is harassing the contractors and not giving them ample time to send over the inspections.

xxx

REMEMBER: CONTINUE TO IGNORE DEMING'S 14 POINTS. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT IT IS NEEDED ANYWHERE WITHIN THE CITY! Remember, we are once again, "One big happy family!"