(NewsNation) — The Los Angeles mayoral race is intensifying with homelessness emerging as a central issue, as Mayor Karen Bass and Republican challenger Spencer Pratt clash over how to handle encampments and public safety concerns.
Bass has pointed to a roughly 17% decline in homelessness during her tenure, while Pratt has criticized the city’s spending priorities and called for stricter enforcement measures, including arrests and mandatory treatment.
The debate comes as the LAPD released a video showing rat‑infested encampments near MacArthur Park, highlighting health and accessibility concerns, and as officials report more than 75,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in Los Angeles County.
LAPD video shows rat-infested homeless encampment
A division of the Los Angeles Police Department on Thursday shined a light on the abhorrent conditions at homeless encampments in a disturbing series of videos posted on social media.
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LAPD’s Rampart Division shared footage of a recent enforcement action at a sprawling encampment near the intersections of West Olympic Boulevard, Lake Street and West 10th Street…