Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department said they have observed police cars from at least four suburban departments drop off what appeared to be homeless people on the streets of downtown Los Angeles in the last year, their captain said Friday...
...Though acknowledging that "dumping" was a common practice years ago, [officials from suburban police departments] now say their departments have strict bans on the practice...
...Downtown officials and police have long suspected that other departments were dumping the homeless, mentally ill people and criminals in downtown, but have found little solid proof...
...Some social service providers drew a distinction between bringing a person downtown for services â€" which they said was understandable â€" and dropping someone off on a street corner with only the hope that the person would seek treatment or help."
