LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A homeless man was discovered living in an underground vault in Los Angeles. Surveillance footage captured the person entering and exiting the vault through a previously sealed utility door near the Japanese American National Museum. Inside the vault, authorities found evidence of someone having taken up residence, including food containers and scattered debris.
According to the Los Angeles Police, the man found living in the underground vault was arrested on July 3 at around 9 pm for battery of a police officer, following the initial report of trespassing. The initial call reporting trespassing was received at approximately 8.56 pm. This incident is part of a series of shocking events involving homeless individuals in the city, highlighting the worsening homeless crisis that Los Angeles is currently facing.
'Security guards noticed the incident'
According to museum CFO Doug Van Kirk, security guards on duty at the time observed a man lifting the hatch door and dropping a bag down into the underground vault.
In another recorded segment, the man is seen opening another door to the vault, jumping down inside, and then closing the crate lid back in its original position. "The security guards noticed the incident, called our director of security who came down," Van Kirk told KTLA.
Upon the arrival of the officers, they discovered the man inside the vault and instructed him to come out. A search was conducted on his person and his belongings. According to Van Kirk, law enforcement officers discovered a firearm or a replica of a firearm inside the man's backpack. The man then exhibited combative behavior and physically struck one of the police officers, resulting in his subsequent arrest on charges of battery on an officer.
The underground vaults in question are typically sealed for security purposes and contain essential infrastructure elements such as water, natural gas valves, and electrical wires. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) confirmed to the local outlet that the specific vault where the man was discovered housed a water meter. According to the LADWP, the vaults in question are not permanently sealed as utility workers require access for maintenance purposes. However, the agency stated that the vaults were re-secured on July 7. Although the specific vault where the homeless man was found did not have direct access to the museum, Van Kirk expressed concern about the incident, considering it as another troubling occurrence involving the city's unhoused population. "We take the safety of our employees, of our volunteers, and of our guests very seriously," Van Kirk said.
'Give him food and shelter, not a ticket'
Meanwhile, the shocking video shared on YouTube has upset the public. One person commented, "A homeless person who wants to be out of sight and out of the way of others? Of course they threw him in jail, he broke the Homeless Rules by not being as an obnoxious and intrusive as possible to others. Hopefully he learns his lesson and puts a tent on the sidewalk!" Another said, "Heartless, callous of the police. That man was in despair. Give him food and shelter, not a ticket." A third said, "They won't arrest thieves, yet a homeless guy not bothering anyone is an arrestable offense."
