Police Cite Two Rescued From Wash

A man and a boy rescued Tuesday from the Pacoima Wash have been cited for misdemeanor trespassing.

The pair are the fifth and sixth persons to be rescued in the past week from the flood control channel.

Police said a 17-year-old boy from Littlerock fell into the wash and his friend, William Garcitt, 21, of Sylmar, pulled the boy to safety but was himself swept into the water.

Three officers were dispatched to the wash to rescue Garcitt. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel also responded and treated the two at the scene. Police said the pair refused to be taken to a hospital, so officers drove them home.

The two face six months in the county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

San Fernando Police Lt. Dan Peavy said both were cited to help prevent future incidents of people using the wash as a shortcut.

“They were handed citations because no one is supposed to be in the wash,” Peavy said. “And they put other officers at unnecessary risk when they fell in.”

Peavy said people don’t realize how slippery the moss in the channel is. “People don’t think they can slip,” he said. “Of course they do and then other people have to get involved.”