Serial defecator repeatedly soils Brentwood sidewalk, prompting mental-health response

In Brentwood, a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood, a woman has been openly using a sidewalk as a toilet, with video showing her squatting, defecating and wiping in plain view of pedestrians. Residents say the incident happens every morning and have expressed fear and frustration, with one mother describing a frightening encounter while walking with her child and dogs. After a local aid group spent six months trying to locate her, the woman refused any offered services.

Community members have contacted police and city officials, but authorities say they can intervene only if a violent act occurs. Mayor Karen Bass’s office has alerted the County Emergency Centralized Response Center to deploy a mental-health outreach team, while councilwoman Traci Parks called the episode a stark illustration of the city’s mental-health challenges. The city relies on the county for such services, leaving residents feeling the response is inadequate.