Several residents reported yesterday that they saw Giorgio, an unsheltered resident of the neighborhood for more than two decades, arrested by LAPD on Wednesday.
According to LAPD Senior Lead Officer Dave Cordova, the Mental Evaluation Unit of LAPD responded to a number of recent complaints and concerns that Giorgio was no longer able to care for himself.
“We picked him up and put him into protective custody,” Cordova told the Buzz. “He wasn’t being arrested for something criminal, but it got to the point where this is in his best interest if he can no longer take care of himself.”
According to Cordova, who recalls Giorgio being on the street since 1996, when Cordova started working in the neighborhood, there were recent complaints of Giorgio defecating in someone’s driveway on a daily basis.  While Cordova could not provide specific details due to privacy restrictions, Cordova told us individuals like Giorgio will be evaluated by county mental  health professionals, who will make a determination about whether he is able to care for himself.
“It’s hard to see someone in this situation,” said Cordova. “This really is for his own well-being; the court and medical team could decide to release him.”
Local residents have stepped up to take care of Giorgio’s shopping cart with all his possessions. Windsor Square resident Gary Gilbert made temporary arrangements securing the cart on Wednesday and Hancock Park resident Marilyn Wells has arranged to store it longer term in hopes it will be returned to Giorgio at some point.
Heartbreaking but inspiring piece about Giorgio’s ongoing struggle to stay alive. Those who offered to protect and safeguard Giorgio’s belongings while his case is being decided are wonderful, selfless people. I thank and revere all concerned, and hope Giorgio gets the help he needs to carry on in some meaningful way.
Is he the one that’s always at the bus stop at Beverly?
That this man was known to residents and on the streets of one of the wealthiest communities in the nation since 1996 is a condemnation of this entire system. Larchmonters should be ashamed.