L.A.'s Mass Graves

Sploid -- which these days offers the best compilation of news anywhere -- shines the spotlight on one of Los Angeles' hidden shames: The city's unclaimed dead.

Services were held last week for 1,619 men and women cremated and buried in a mass grave by the Los Angeles Country coroner's office. All of them died in 2001 -- and not one of them was claimed by a loved one for proper burial.

About 10 percent of the corpses were never identified. Some were left because they had no known family and some families were unaware. Most were left by families too broke to be able to afford the cost of a funeral.

Last year's ceremony was for 1,606 unclaimed people. Some years the number exceeds 2,000. The coronoer's office keeps a website with the names of almost 4,000 unclaimed dead.

Los Angeles County cremates unclaimed bodies and keeps the ashes in small plastic bags for four years before the burying them. In lieu of a traditional headstone, the graves are marked with a metal plaque bearing the tracking numbers for each person.

Albert Gaskin is the caretaker for the county's plot at Evergreen Cemetery. He takes solace in what little he's able to offer the dead. "It gives you a thought that you're helping someone less fortunate than you are," he said. "I feel good by helping them."

Speaking of L.A.'s hidden shame, the death of four homeless people Monday on Skid Row stunned many, but Mayor Sam and LAVoice say that's not good enough:

While the council did vote unanimously to set up an ad hoc committee on homelessness to launch a new effort to combat the problem, one has to wonder if this is just yet another chance to put their mugs in front of the cameras. Enough is enough. Every single politician in this city is exploiting the situation for their own gain, and not a single one of them seem to be actually getting anything done towards getting these people the shelter and care that they need.

Maybe rather than touring Skid Row for an hour in their shiny loafers or handing out toys and serving food in front of cameras, they should go there and spend at least an evening and truly feel these people's plight. (Mayor Sam)

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This isn't just Jan Perry's problem. It's the entire council's problem, and it'll take more than a few extra foot patrols or a few hundred grand for mental health services to make a dent.

People are coming from as far away as Azusa for the crack, meth and heroin you're letting people sell in this monstrous open market on the streets of your city.

Come on, Eric (Garcetti): show some initiative and call for an all-hands City Council tour of Skid Row. It's time to expand your colleagues' minds. LAVoice.org)