"Justice Served: Troubled Watts Metal Recycling Facility Shut Down After Decades of Danger to Local Students"
Los Angeles County Judge Orders $2 Million Penalty and Closure of Troubled Metal Recycling Facility Near Watts High School
In a landmark ruling, a Los Angeles County judge has ordered the owners of S&W Atlas Iron & Metal to pay $2 million in penalties and permanently cease operations at their metal recycling facility adjacent to Jordan High School in Watts. This decision marks a significant victory for community members who have long feared the environmental and health risks posed by the facility, which has been operational since 1949.
Background of the Facility
S&W Atlas Iron & Metal has been processing scrap metal in Watts for over seven decades, shredding and baling materials such as aluminum cans, steel rims, and copper wire. However, the facility’s operations have raised serious concerns among students and staff at Jordan High School, who reported that the facility’s activities coated their campus in toxic dust, occasionally showered outdoor areas with shrapnel, and disrupted classes with explosions.
The situation escalated in 2020 when the facility was arraigned on numerous criminal charges related to illegal dumping and hazardous waste handling. These charges stemmed from incidents occurring between July 2020 and August 2022. A particularly alarming event occurred on the first day of school in August 2023, when a compressed gas canister ignited, resulting in a fiery explosion that prompted the district attorney’s office to file additional charges against the facility’s owners, Gary and Matthew Weisenberg.
Court Ruling and Sentencing
On October 21, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Terry Bork sentenced the Weisenbergs and their company to a permanent shutdown of the scrap yard, alongside a two-year probation period and a requirement to complete 200 hours of community service. The $2 million penalty includes $1 million in restitution to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Furthermore, the court mandated that Atlas provide the school district and the city of Los Angeles the first opportunity to purchase the property should it be put up for sale.
“This sentencing delivers long-overdue justice to a community that has lived in the shadow of this dangerous facility for generations,” stated L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. He emphasized the importance of holding businesses accountable for endangering community safety, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.
Community Impact and Reactions
The ruling concludes a long history of hazardous incidents linked to the facility. In 2002, a notable incident occurred when the recycling center was dismantling Navy artillery shells, purportedly inert, when one exploded, sending debris onto the Jordan High campus. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among students, though one visitor to the facility sustained minor injuries.
LAUSD officials had urged the court to impose a stringent sentence to deter future environmental hazards. A spokesperson for the district remarked, “For decades, Jordan High School students and educators have borne the consequences of Atlas’ reckless disregard for safety. Accountability is essential to ensure this community is not subjected to any further harm.”
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho echoed these sentiments, stating, “Environmental justice is educational justice, and Los Angeles Unified remains unwavering in our commitment to a safer, healthier future for every student.”
Environmental Cleanup and Future Steps
As part of the sentencing, Atlas is required to conduct an environmental cleanup of the site, as mandated by the Department of Toxic Substances Control. School district officials anticipate elevated levels of lead on the grounds, a toxic substance known to cause permanent cognitive impairments in children.
Timothy Watkins, president of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, expressed mixed feelings about the court’s decision. While he welcomed the closure of Atlas, he voiced concerns about the lasting impact of lead contamination on generations of children. “Atlas Metal created a wound in the community, and salt goes into that wound every day it remains contaminated,” he stated. “We’re not done. By no means are we finished.”
Conclusion
The closure of S&W Atlas Iron & Metal represents a significant step toward ensuring the safety and well-being of the Watts community, particularly the students of Jordan High School. As the facility ceases operations and begins the mandated cleanup, community members remain vigilant, committed to ensuring that the environmental risks are thoroughly addressed and that such hazardous operations do not return to their neighborhood.