COMPTON (CBSLA) – The town of Compton has been accused by activists of losing COVID-19 assist funds.
Final month, Tia Walker took pictures of dozens of meals pallets within the dumpster in Lueders Park, the situation of the Compton Meals Pantry. (Picture by Tia Walker)
The town was significantly exhausting hit by the pandemic, which needed to deal with excessive an infection charges, excessive poverty and excessive unemployment.
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“I would like extra transparency,” stated Tia Walker, a Compton-based activist. “Now we have a transparency downside in Compton.”
Final month, Walker snapped pictures of dozens of meals pallets within the dumpster in Lueders Park, house to the Compton Meals Pantry, operated by the Chamber of Commerce and funded by the Metropolis of Compton’s United Aid Fund.
“There was meals in these bins, each a type of bins,” Walker stated.
In line with town, the chamber obtained greater than $ 80,000 for the pantry between June and November 2020.
“I used to be indignant, however I needed solutions first,” stated Walker. “So I made a decision to publish on Fb and see if there was an affordable rationalization.”
One of many board of administrators of the chamber responded to Walker’s publish with a remark that learn, “Hardly anybody got here to get the meals,” and the “pantry can’t deliver it again to the shop”.
“When so many individuals are ravenous,” stated Walker. “When folks sleep on the streets in Compton and are homeless, there should not be dumpsters filled with groceries.”
Compton launched its aid fund final spring at first of the pandemic: $ 200,000 of this fund was donated by Dr. Dre together with entrepreneur and report supervisor Jimmy Iovine.
CBSLA went by way of town’s receipts and located that among the cash was used for exams and giveaways for meals, whereas greater than $ 35,000 was used for “Made in Compton” face masks.
“That is some huge cash,” stated Adolfo Varas, government director of the Compton Latino Chamber of Commerce. “We obtained over 50,000 face masks that they have been donated with.”
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Varas loudly criticizes how town spent the help cash.
“We do not know if the face masks they purchased have been distributed to the Compton neighborhood,” stated Varas. “We do not know what these face masks have been used for.”
The Metropolis of Compton made the next assertion to CBSLA relating to the masks:
“Whereas disposable masks could be issued for one-time use, fabric masks have been additionally mandatory for residents who wanted them and key employees.”
The town additionally gave CBSLA the next assertion relating to the pantry:
“The pantry naturally focuses on lowering meals waste as a lot as doable. Nevertheless, if meals spoils in transit, the pantry can’t serve that meals to residents as it will probably pose a risk. “
The board despatched CBSLA its personal assertion describing Walker’s pictures as “misleading”. The assertion goes on to say: “Dishonest fraudsters can and should take a manipulative picture to make staged circumstances extremely disruptive.”
“I took the images as a involved Compton resident,” stated Walker. “I’ve nothing to achieve by posting these photos and standing out right here and asking questions.”
CBSLA’s investigation discovered that the Compton Chamber of Commerce additionally had a nasty rap with the Franchise Tax Board throughout the time it was elevating tens of 1000’s of {dollars} from town.
As quickly because the CBSLA inquired, the Chamber settled its money owed. The chamber continues to obtain $ 20,000 a month for its pantry, in line with a metropolis spokesman.
Within the meantime, Dr. Dre didn’t touch upon his donation or using the funds.
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The town will maintain a runoff election for a brand new mayor in June.
