S&W Atlas Iron & Metal Co., a recycling company located in Watts that has garnered controversy due to claims of pollution affecting an adjacent school and neighborhood, has been ordered to stop receiving and processing new metals.
The company was already under scrutiny for a series of incidents, one of which was an explosion that rattled Jordan High School, which sits directly next to the metal recycling facility, that took place on Aug. 12, 2024 – 10 minutes before first period on the first day of school.
Atlas Metals is also facing allegations of improperly disposing of hazardous waste and endangering Jordan High students with what Los Angeles Unified School District officials described as “sharp metal projectiles, debris, metallic dust, and other objects to be launched or emitting from their property.”
Such safety issues date back to 2017, prosecutors allege, although in June 2023, then-Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said that the potential exposure to hazardous materials could date back decades, as Jordan High was opened in 1929 and the metal recycling facility 20 years later.
Atlas Metals and its two owners, a father and son named Gary and Matthew Weisenberg, were indicted on 25 counts in September 2024 to which they pleaded not guilty. They were released on their own recognizance; however, prosecutors now want them jailed with bail set at $1 million because of new allegations that the company continued to flout safety laws despite the charges they are facing.
“In addition, we ask the court to order Atlas to be closed until it proves it can operate without ongoing violations of the law,” the motion said.
Exactly that happened on Monday, the Watts Labor Community Action Committee announced.
In a press release, the group stated that the decision by L.A. County Superior Court Judge Terry Bork “effectively shutters” all operations at the metal recycling facility and “ends the threat of dangerous shrapnel projectiles” for students and nearby residents.
Additionally, Gary and Matthew Weisenberg have had bails set at $100,000 and $1 million, respectively; the latter is already in custody. Atlas Metals is also required to submit weekly inspections from the Department of Toxic Substances and Control, WLCAC said.
“This is unprecedented in the history of Watts…This is the first time the community has challenged a polluter and won,” Watts Labor Community Action Committee CEO Tim Watkins stated. “The writing is on the wall for environmental criminals in our community, and we’re looking forward to a cleaner and healthier future for the children of Watts.”
“For years, Atlas Metals has put our community at risk without a second thought,” added Genesis Cruz, a former student at Jordan High School. “Today, the judge showed them that they are not above the law. No more business as usual…Watts has paid the price for their greed for too long.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman released a statement celebrating the court’s ruling, picking up the baton on the work done by Gascón and his office.
Hochman called Monday “a history day for Watts, Jordan High School and criminal justice.”
“For the first time, after decades of endangering children with metal projectiles and hazardous waste, Atlas Metals has been ordered to stop accepting and processing new material, essentially shutting down operations,” Hochman said. “For decades, as alleged in court, Atlas Metals has recklessly allowed deadly shrapnel to be launched onto the property of Jordan High School and contaminated the school with lead and other toxic chemicals. For 70 years, as alleged in court, Atlas Metals has collected all the profits, and the children at Jordan High School have borne all the risks. This will not stand. Under my watch, environmental crimes will be punished to the full extent of the law, and those who threaten public safety, especially those who harm children, will be held accountable.”
While Monday’s ruling effectively halts operations at the facility, community members and environmental advocates continue to push for it to be permanently closed.
Atlas Metals will be back in court on March 28.