L.A. Mayor Threatens to Cut Off Utilities to Homes Hosting Gatherings During Pandemic

While some Americans are still livid over recent mandates that require them to don a face mask when going out into public to prevent the spread of coronavirus, citizens of Los Angeles have a whole new fight brewing.

That’s because, in L.A., those who decide to host gatherings at their own homes are being threatened with unprecedented punishments by the city’s Mayor.

During a press conference Wednesday night, Mayor Eric Garcetti authorized the city to shut off power and water to properties, including houses and businesses, that are in violation of gathering regulations as a means to “shut these places down permanently.”

“By turning off that power, shutting off that water we feel we can close these places down, which usually are not one-time offenders but multiple-offenders,” Garcetti said.

He noted that local law enforcement officers are having a hard time dealing with gatherings where there are hundreds of people who are “breaking the law.”

When asked about the authority he had to authorize such a profound invasion of privacy, Garcetti was defiant.

“We know we can do this,” Garcetti said, responding to a question about the measure’s legality.

One has to wonder what sort of precedent this has set for Garcetti and other local leaders around the nation, who could find any number of reasons to infringe upon the comfort of their citizens from here on out.