Kawika Barrett Update
Senior Lead Officer Heather Mata reports that as of the later part of last week, Kawika Barrett was being held on a bail over $100,000. He is in the mental evaluation ward of the Los Angeles County Jail in downtown. May he get the help and services he needs.
Partnerships played a key role here. Oftentimes, we were afraid and frustrated that Mr. Barrett continued to trespass, harass residents, and vandalize our properties. Current laws on the books do not favor us. We are the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. We don't blame or scold those who help us. We seek to find solutions with them.
Officer White devoted much time and resources to tracking this mentally ill man who provoked our neighborhood. Officer Mata inherited an escalating problem. LAPD. LADF, MEU, neighborhood prosecutor Ethan Weaver, Kimberly Morosi Community Resource Specialist, The Center's Douglas Walker, Post Patrol worked in unison to get Mr. Barrett off the streets and into evaluation.
Additional thanks go to AJ Lekowski, Fred Morrow, and Rick Mason who logged neighbor's eyewitness reports and fielded replies when neighbors wrote to: whitleyheighsinfo@gmail.com This was invaluable.
We pray for the safety of brave law enforcement officers who now endure additional risks due to the virus.
Stay Home. Stay Safe.
Patty, thank you! That is such good news. I hope the mental evaluation ward has the time and resources to help him. The success of this "campaign" to address the problems surrounding Mr. Barrett, is testament to your activism and care for the Hill and that of all the neighbors who joined you in working with the police, the prosecutor, The Center and other city departments. This is a really good story. Thank you to all.