‘Reckless’ scrapyard that endangered Watts High School’s history has been shut down

A Los Angeles County judge ordered the owner of a troubled metal recycling facility to pay a $2 million fine and permanently halt operations next door to Watts High School, ending decades of concerns about industrial pollution and dangerous accidents.

S&W Atlas Iron & Metal has been processing scrap metal in Watts since 1949, shredding and baling aluminum cans, steel rings and copper wire. During that time, students and staff at Jordan High School complained that operations at the facility filled their campus with toxic dust, occasionally hurled shrapnel into outdoor areas and disrupted classes with explosions.

Two years ago, Atlas and its father-and-son owners Gary Weisenberg and Matthew Weisenberg were indicted on multiple criminal charges for illegally dumping and disposing of hazardous waste between July 2020 and August 2022. More than a year later, the district attorney’s office filed additional charges against the company after a compressed gas tank caught fire at the scrap yard, causing a violent explosion on the first day of school. defendant.

The company and the Weisenbergs ultimately pleaded no contest to multiple charges.

In an Oct. 21 sentencing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Terry Bork directed the company to permanently close the scrapyard and sign a land deed prohibiting future recycling at the site. The owner was also sentenced to two years’ probation and must perform 200 hours of community service.

Bork also ordered Atlas to pay $2 million in fines and penalties, including $1 million in restitution to the Los Angeles Unified School District. Additionally, if Atlas decides to sell the property, it must first give the school district and the city of Los Angeles the opportunity to purchase the property.

“This verdict brings overdue justice to a community that has lived in the shadow of this dangerous facility for generations,” the Los Angeles County District said. Atty. Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “For too long, the children of Jordan High School and the Watts family have been put in danger by a company that puts profits over safety. My office will continue to hold accountable any business that endangers our children or our community.”

Lawyers and a public relations firm representing the Weisenbergs did not respond to requests for comment.

The words ended a long saga of dangerous accidents and close calls on and off campus.

In 2002, in perhaps one of the most scandalous incidents, a recycling center was dismantling Navy artillery shells (which were said to be inert) when one of the shells exploded and a piece of metal fell onto the campus of Jordan High School. No one at the school was injured, but one person who visited Atlas Yard suffered minor injuries.

Los Angeles Unified school officials urged the court to impose a “strong and appropriate” sentence to deter future environmental harm.

“For decades, students and educators at Jordan High School have suffered the consequences of Atlas’ reckless disregard for safety,” a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District said in a statement. “Accountability is critical to ensuring this community does not suffer any further harm.” “

Earlier this week, Supt. Alberto Calvajo expressed the same sentiment.

“For too long, our students and educators at Watts have carried the burden of others’ negligence, yet they have met every challenge with strength, grace and unity,” Carvalho said in a statement on social media. “Schools must always be a sanctuary from environmental harm. Environmental justice is educational justice, and LA Unified remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a safer, healthier future for every student.”

As an additional requirement of the sentence, Atlas must conduct an environmental cleanup of the site as required by the Department of Toxic Substances Control. School district officials anticipate high lead levels at the site, which could cause permanent cognitive impairment in children.

Timothy Watkins, chairman of Watts Labor Community Action Committee, had mixed emotions after hearing the court’s decision. On the one hand, he said, he’s glad Atlas is finally closing. However, he fears the devastating effects of lead from Atlas could cause irreparable and lasting harm to generations of children.

“Atlas Metals has created a wound in the community, and salt is getting into the wound every day and it’s still contaminated,” Watkins said. “Who’s to say they’re going to clean it up to the point where it needs to be cleaned? Even if they do, they’re still profiting from the exploitation of our community.”

The neighborhood has been much quieter in recent months. The scrapyard ceased operations in May. Atlas workers removed a temporary container wall between the scrapyard and the school, which was designed to prevent sharp shards of metal and other debris from flying onto the school playground.

Watkins said the community will continue to be involved until the environmental risks are gone.

“We’re not done yet,” he said. “Our mission is not over yet.”