UPDATE: Residents of Lincoln Heights are sounding the alarm as abandoned RVs overrun Humboldt Street, bringing with them a surge of crime, sewage, and trash. Frustrated locals have turned to 7 On Your Side Investigates for help in addressing this escalating crisis.
Stacy Vierheilig, an industrial building owner on Humboldt Street, expressed her dismay, stating, “This is not OK.” Pools of wastewater now surround her property, and crime is spiraling out of control. Recently, surveillance cameras captured a thief stealing copper wire from her air conditioning unit, prompting her to fortify her building with security measures. “We need help,” she pleaded.
The local community feels the impact deeply. Gabriel Perez, who operates a thrift store for St. Vincent de Paul adjacent to Vierheilig’s building, reported that break-ins have become a nightly occurrence. The rampant drug use and prostitution in the area pose serious threats to both employees and customers. “For every dollar we spend on security, we are taking away from our mission to serve those in need,” Perez lamented.
In response to the growing crisis, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez has acknowledged the issue as one of her top priorities. However, she recently voted against a new state law that would increase the threshold for RV removal from $500 to $4,000. “I didn’t want to give constituents false hope that this will be a game changer,” she explained. Instead, Hernandez is focusing on securing funding for more homeless beds, viewing this as a longer-term solution.
Despite Hernandez’s concerns, the resolution passed and will go into effect next year. Mayor Karen Bass has expressed support for the new law, calling it a “vital tool” to combat RV encampments across Los Angeles. Her office indicated that they are committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness that has worsened over the years.
As the city prepares to implement the new law, residents continue to fortify their properties. Both Vierheilig and Perez have recently installed iron fences around their businesses. For now, the struggle for a cleaner, safer Humboldt Street persists, as locals seek immediate action from city leaders.
The situation remains urgent, and residents are left wondering how long they will have to wait for a solution. As the city navigates through these changes, the plight of Humboldt Street residents serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive action on homelessness and public safety in Los Angeles.
