City of LA investigating new trend of homeless encampments forming on private properties
KOREATOWN, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- It's apparently the latest trend in Los Angeles.
Homeless encampments aren't just popping up in parks and sidewalks anymore. Now, they're taking over some private lots, too.
A few weeks ago, the 7 On Your Side Investigates team reported about an encampment on a private lot in Koreatown.
The property owner cleared out the lot after our story, but now, 7 On Your Side has been alerted about another encampment on private property not too far away.
The person who reached out to Eyewitness News said she discovered the encampment after she tracked her stolen iPad to the lot. The encampment is located on what used to be a clean lot that the owner wanted to use to build low-income housing.
"It's just sketchy," said Samantha Rene, a Koreatown resident.
The encampment sits at Hoover and San Marino streets, right next to an apartment complex and close to a place of worship. Hoover Elementary School is just two blocks away, and many young students need to pass it to get to school.
"Sometimes when I pass by, they're always like screaming, fighting or sometimes they're like doing this," said Jayleen Alas, a 4th grader, as she made a smoking gesture.
Smoking isn't the only activity people are complaining about.
A maintenance man with The Salvation Army next door showed us where people from the encampment have been stealing their electricity. A man named Jose Dominguez said stuff has been stolen from his trunk when he parked on the street.
"Other homeless see that this whole area is starting to be taken over," said Dominguez. "They see that they have this whole area that's pretty much made for them at this point."
7 On Your Side Investigates reached out to both the property owner and various city departments.
The office of Mayor Karen Bass sent us a statement, saying, "We are seeing a new trend in homelessness, with encampments forming on private properties."
"The Mayor's Office will be working with City Departments to establish new protocols to hold private property owners accountable."
The city's Department of Building and Safety has given the owner what's called an "Order to Comply" regarding "incomplete construction" and "trash and debris violations."
A few days after that notice was issued, those living on the encampment were told to leave.
The Los Angeles Police Department oversaw the eviction as bikes and electric scooters were wheeled out. Other items taken out included a printer, an industrial vacuum, bags of tools and a cement mixer.
A witness told a 7 On Your Side photographer that during the move, someone slashed one of the tires of one of our Eyewitness News vans. That didn't slow us down from telling the story.
7 On Your Side repeatedly tried to reach out to the person who owns the property, but has not heard back. The owner has until late November to get the property in compliance, and if the fixes aren't done by then, the Department of Building and Safety will start fining him.
Editorial note: After this 7 On Your Side story first aired on Tuesday, Oct. 7, residents living near the encampment told Eyewitness News that they saw the property start to be cleaned up. The LAPD says the cleanup is being done by the owner of the property.
