‘Reckless’ scrapyard linked to Watts High School’s history of endangerment

A Los Angeles County judge has ordered the owners of a troubled metal recycling facility to pay $2 million in fines and permanently shut down operations near Watts High School, ending decades of fears over industrial pollution and dangerous accidents.

S&W Atlas Iron & Metal has processed scrap metal in Watts since 1949, shredding and baling aluminum cans, steel reams and copper wire. Meanwhile, students and staff at Jordan High School complained that the facility’s operation covered their campus with toxic dust, sometimes outside areas were bombarded and classrooms were disrupted by explosions.

Atlas, along with father-and-son owners Gary and Matthew Weisenberg, were indicted two years ago on multiple felony charges related to the illegal dumping and handling of hazardous waste between July 2020 and August 2022. Less than a year later, a compressed gas canister caught fire on the first day of the fire. School, after which the district attorney’s office filed additional charges against the defendants.

The company and Weisenberg eventually pleaded no contest to several charges.

During an Oct. 21 sentencing hearing, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Terry Burke ordered the company to close the scrap yard for good and sign a ground agreement that would prevent future recycling at the site. The owners were also placed on two years of probation and must perform 200 hours of community service.

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

“This sentence represents a long-term judgment on a community that has lived in the shadow of this dangerous facility for generations,” La County Dist. Attiy Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “For too long, the children at Jordan High School and the families at Watts have been put at risk by a company that has put profit over safety. My office will continue to hold accountable any business that puts our children or our communities at risk.”

When asked by The Times about plans for the property, the owners offered no details.

“We’ve lived in Los Angeles and worked at Watts for generations, and we care deeply about the community and the future,” Matthew Weisenberg said in a statement. “We are proud of the contributions Atlas Iron & Metals has made over the years and the relationships with our employees and customers. While this chapter is coming to an end, we are focused on moving forward as a family.”

This sentence ends a long story of dangerous incidents and close calls around the school.

In 2002, in perhaps one of the most unfortunate incidents, a recycling center was disposing of a Marine artillery shell—supposedly inert—when an explosion occurred and a piece of metal fell onto the Jordan High campus. No one at the school was hurt, but a person visiting the Atlas campus suffered minor injuries.

LA Unified School District officials asked the court to impose “a strong and appropriate” sentence that would prevent future environmental hazards.

“For decades, Atlas’ disregard for the safety of Jordan High School students and teachers has borne the consequences,” a spokesperson for the LA Unified School District said in a statement. Accountability is necessary to ensure that this community is not harmed further.”

Earlier this week, Supt. Alberto Carlojo echoed these sentiments.

“For too long, our students and teachers at Watts have borne the brunt of others’ neglect, but they have met each challenge with strength, grace and unity,” Carvalho said in a statement on social media. “Schools should always be sanctuaries, free from environmental harm. Environmental justice is educational justice, and United Los Angeles remains steadfast in our commitment to a safe, healthy future for every student.”

As an additional penalty requirement, Atlas must conduct an environmental cleanup of the site as determined by the Department of Toxic Substances Control. School district officials expect the grounds to contain high levels of lead, which can cause permanent cognitive impairment in children.

Timothy Watkins, chairman of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee, had mixed feelings upon hearing the court’s decision. On the one hand, he said, he’s glad Atlas is finally closing. But, he worries that the devastating effects of lead from Atlas may have caused lasting damage to generations of children that cannot be undone.

“Atlas metal has created a wound in the community, and the salt goes into that wound every day it remains contaminated,” Watkins said. “Who’s to say they’re going to clean up as much as they need to clean up? And even if they do, they’ve still benefited from the exploitation of our society.”

For the past few months, the neighborhood has been very quiet. The scrap yard ceased operations in May. Atlas workers demolished a temporary wall of shipping containers between the scrap yard and the school, intended to prevent sharp metal shards and other debris from flying into the school yard.

Watkins said the community will remain involved until environmental hazards are eliminated.

“We’re not done,” he said. “By no means are we finished.”