#LA mayor threatens to turn off water, power after Beverly Hills bash

Enlarge Image

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
Hans Gutknecht/The Orange County Register via AP

The mayor of Los Angeles is threatening to shut off water and power to any businesses or residences found to be hosting massive parties during the coronavirus pandemic.

The warning from Mayor Eric Garcetti is a direct response to reports of trendy Beverly Hills bashes that have been thrown this summer where revelers flout social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines.

“While we have already closed all nightclubs and bars, these large house parties have essentially become nightclubs in the Hills,” Garcetti said during a news conference Wednesday. “Many times the homes are vacant or used for short-term rentals.”

Garcetti said he granted authority to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to cut the utilities to homes and businesses hosting the selfish soirees starting this Friday.

“The consequences of these large parties ripple far beyond just those parties,” Garcetti added. “They ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread.”

The pandemic parties come during a massive spike in confirmed cases in California this July. California surpassed New York for the most infections among any state during that uptick, with more than 528,000 confirmed cases as of Wednesday night.

One person was killed and two others were severely injured during a shooting at one of the parties held Monday night for an NFL player in a Mulholland Drive mansion.

Earlier Wednesday, LA City Councilman David Ryu introduced a motion to increase penalties for homeowners who throw parties in violation of the state’s public health guidelines, the local CBS affiliate reported.

“Despite a pandemic that has killed thousands in Los Angeles, some homeowners are choosing to put everyone at risk by renting out their homes to massive house parties,” Ryu said. “This is irresponsible bordering on deadly, and it must be stopped.”