UPDATE: Residents of Humboldt Street in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles, are demanding urgent action as abandoned RVs dominate their neighborhood, creating a public health crisis and increasing crime rates. Just this week, local news outlet 7 On Your Side Investigates uncovered the dire situation that has residents feeling unsafe and desperate for solutions.
The streets are lined with inoperable RVs, leading to rampant sewage spills, trash accumulation, and criminal activity. Local business owner Stacy Vierheilig voiced her frustration, stating, “This is not OK.” Her industrial building, which serves underprivileged children, is now surrounded by security cameras due to the crime wave, including a recent incident where a thief stole copper wire from her air conditioning unit.
Residents like Vierheilig are not alone in their concerns. Gabriel Perez from St. Vincent de Paul, located next to Vierheilig’s building, reported nightly break-ins, stating that employees and customers often feel unsafe walking down the street due to the overwhelming presence of RVs. “For every dollar we have spent on security, we are taking away from our mission to serve those in need,” Perez lamented.
City officials are aware of the crisis. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the area, has identified the RV situation as a top priority but recently voted against a new state law aimed at facilitating the removal of these vehicles. The existing law allows only RVs valued at $500 or less to be removed; the proposed change would raise that threshold to $4,000. “I didn’t want to give constituents false hope that this will be a game changer,” Hernandez explained, emphasizing her commitment to community input.
Despite her opposition, the resolution passed, and the city plans to implement the new law next year. Mayor Karen Bass‘s office expressed optimism, labeling the law a “vital tool” to tackle RV encampments and improve community safety. “This effort demonstrates Mayor Bass’ work to break with the status quo that allowed the homelessness crisis to worsen,” a statement from her office noted.
Meanwhile, residents are left to fortify their properties. Vierheilig has installed a new iron fence around her building, and Perez confirmed that St. Vincent de Paul will soon do the same. The ongoing struggle reflects a larger crisis in Los Angeles, where homelessness and public safety have reached critical levels.
As the city continues to develop solutions, residents are anxiously waiting for meaningful changes. “I don’t have a timeline for when those RVs will not be on that street,” Hernandez admitted. “But we are exploring other places where we can have RVs that are not impacting the community.” Until then, the escalating situation on Humboldt Street remains a pressing issue that demands immediate attention.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops, and share your thoughts on social media. What should be done to address this urgent crisis?
