LA Looks To Crack Down On Those Who Harm Trees

LOS ANGELES, CA — The City Council Tuesday asked city counsel to update and strengthen penalties for individuals who harm trees in Los Angeles — a move that comes after a man used a chainsaw to cut down a dozen trees in downtown earlier this year.

In a 13-0 vote, council members approved a motion introduced by Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who represents downtown neighborhoods. Council members Adrin Nazarian and Marqueece Harris-Dawson were absent during the vote.

City officials have proposed tiered penalties based on the age, extent of injury and percentage of tree canopy lost, as well as the creation of an outreach plan to boost awareness of the city's regulations protecting trees.

Council members requested the report within 15 days for their consideration.

In May, Jurado joined conservation groups and residents to plant new trees in the areas where they were cut down by the perpetrator, who was captured on camera toppling trees at Grand Avenue and Wells Fargo Center, Olympic Street and Figueroa Boulevard, Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue, and at Grand Avenue and Fifth Street.

North East Trees and LA Conservation Corps donated the trees, which were sponsored by Arizona State University.

City News Service