On May 22, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, 2nd District, issued a statement regarding U.S. District Judge David Carter’s preliminary injunction, which requires the city and county to provide shelter or housing for up to 7,000 people experiencing homelessness who live near freeways.

“I value Judge Carter’s contribution to this conversation, and I appreciate his impatience, which is wholly appropriate,” Ridley-Thomas said. “He feels driven to compel us to act in a decisive and definitive way, and I take the position that government does need to be held accountable. But it has to be the right court order; otherwise, we will run the risk of missing an opportunity to do something extraordinary for the homeless population in Los Angeles County.

“The Board of Supervisors has advanced a Comprehensive Crisis Response to homelessness and Gov. Gavin Newsom has made it a priority. Even the federal government is – finally – stepping up to the plate. I cannot overstate how important it is that all of us and Judge Carter get on the same page, and give new meaning to the phrase ‘Everyone In.’ … We need to continue to work together, strategically and coherently – not frenetically and haphazardly. There is no upside in us being on the brink of a major conflict that will set back the momentum we’ve had in this region,” Ridley-Thomas said. “The people of Los Angeles County expect and deserve no less.”