A judge has ordered S&W Atlas Iron & Metal Co., a metal recycler in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, to temporarily halt operations after a series of allegations regarding environmental violations and public safety concerns, particularly those affecting the adjacent Jordan High School. According to CBS Los Angeles, the order comes as co-owners Gary Weisenberg, 78, and Matthew Weisenberg, 37, face 21 counts related to unsafe practices, including the pollution of the school with toxins and debris.
The Weisenbergs were taken into custody after state inspectors discovered containers of flammable acetylene on-site, in violation of a court order. Matthew Weisenberg's bail was set at $1 million and Gary Weisenberg was released on $100,000 bail due to medical concerns. The former's attorney argued that the amount was "simply unachievable" against the need for compliance, according to information obtained by KTLA and FOX LA.
The company, dating back to 1949, has countered previous allegations of pollution, denying the claims of hazardous dumping and the generation of unsafe lead levels in soil samples as factually groundless. Following an explosion on the premises last August, heightened concerns from the community and authorities led to increased scrutiny, paving the way for the latest court-ordered restrictions which include the cessation of metal processing and the acceptance of any gas cylinders or tanks, in addition to mandating regular, unannounced visits by the Department of Toxic Substances Control to ensure greater oversight.
In a statement shared by the LA County District Attorney's Office, DA Nathan Hochman called the court's decision a "historic day" signaling the end of decades-long practices that have endangered the children at Jordan High School, with his office vowing to punish environmental crimes to the fullest extent, especially those harming children, and "those who threaten public safety, especially those who harm children, will be held accountable" as reinforced in a press release from Hochman's office.
While operations at Atlas Metals are currently on pause, community members and environmental advocates continue their campaign for the permanent closure of the facility. The latter's impact has roused considerable attention in Watts, with a former Jordan High School student expressing relief at the judge's ruling during an interview with FOX LA, calling it "a huge step for accountability." Atlas Metals is expected to reappear in court on March 28, with stakeholders from various sides of the case awaiting further developments.
