El Sereno business owners fear concrete wall could collapse on nearby homeless encampment

EL SERENO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Several El Sereno business owners are sounding the alarm over a concrete wall they fear could come crashing down on a nearby homeless encampment and possibly kill people.

It was just last year that the wall collapsed and crushed multiple vehicles parked next to it.

Business owners in the 5400 block of Alhambra Avenue blame a pounding rainstorm for the barrier toppling over. They fear another section of the wall about a block away could see a similar fate.

On one side of the wall there are businesses and the homeless encampment, and on the other side there are railroad tracks.

Tristan is among the business owners in the area who worry about the safety of about two dozen people living in the homeless encampment, which is next to the wall.

Tristan said after cars stopped parking next to the wall, the homeless encampment moved in.

"I've been trying to get the city to, you know, make sure that people don't get crushed by the wall," he said.

He says he's frustrated and nothing has been done despite repeated attempts for months to get the city to act.

Tristan adds that the people living in the encampment don't bother anyone, so he's not demanding the city remove them. He's concerned about their safety and even spoke with homeless people at the encampment about the potential danger of being crushed by the wall if it comes down.

Jorge lives near the homeless encampment in his RV and says he's terrified the wall will come crumbling down on the encampment sooner rather than later.

"It will fall again, and all it's going to take is another nice rain to loosen up the ground," Jorge said.

Eyewitness News reached out to the city but has not heard back.

A Union Pacific Railroad spokesperson said in a statement that the section of the wall was recently inspected and crews determined it is "structurally sound and doesn't pose an immediate safety concern."

"Union Pacific remains vigilant in monitoring and maintaining the safety of our railroad and the communities we serve," the statement said.