In the past few weeks, Los Angeles has faced a reckoning over an unintended consequence of prolonged social isolation: house parties. Neighborhoods and cities have reported upticks in complaints about large, residential gatherings, worrying public health officials over the risk of undermining progress made in the fight against COVID-19. Following a shooting death at one such event in Beverly Crest on Aug. 3, the City of Los Angeles has threatened to increase penalties for homeowners found hosting parties and cut off utilities to their property.
“We have seen an increase in calls regarding large gatherings, including house parties,” said Beverly Hills City spokesperson Keith Sterling. “As health officials have said, any gathering of people in a confined space currently presents a danger and risk for the spread of COVID-19.”
