URGENT UPDATE: Frustration is boiling over in Lincoln Heights as abandoned RVs take over Humboldt Street, leading residents to seek answers from city officials. The dangerous situation is marked by overflowing sewage, rampant crime, and increasing safety concerns for local businesses.
Residents like Stacy Vierheilig, owner of an industrial building filled with toys for underprivileged children, are sounding the alarm on the growing chaos. “This is not OK,” Vierheilig stated, pointing to the pools of wastewater accumulating outside her property, directly linked to the rows of inoperable RVs lining the street. The crime rate has surged, with surveillance footage capturing incidents such as a thief stealing copper wire from her air conditioning unit. “We need help,” she urged.
The impact of this crisis extends beyond Vierheilig’s building. Gabriel Perez, who runs a large thrift store adjacent to her property, reports that break-ins occur almost nightly. He expressed deep concern for the safety of his employees and customers, who are often forced to walk in the street due to RVs blocking sidewalks. “For every dollar we spend on security, we’re taking away from our mission to serve those in need,” Perez lamented.
City leaders, including Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, are acknowledging the severity of the issue. Hernandez, who recently voted against a proposed state law to facilitate the removal of RVs valued over $4,000, stated, “I didn’t want to give constituents false hope that this would be a game changer.” Instead, she emphasized the need for funding to secure more beds for the homeless as a potential long-term solution.
Meanwhile, the problems on Humboldt Street persist. Business owners are fortifying their properties with security measures such as iron fences to combat theft and vandalism. Despite the councilmember’s vote against the RV resolution, it passed and will take effect next year. The Mayor’s Office expressed support for the new law, calling it a “vital tool” in addressing RV encampments across Los Angeles.
Residents are left waiting for tangible solutions as the city grapples with the ongoing homelessness crisis. “I don’t have a timeline for when those RVs will not be on that street,” Hernandez admitted, underscoring the uncertainty that hangs over the community.
As the situation develops, the urgency for action grows. Residents are calling for immediate intervention to restore safety and order to Humboldt Street, where the daily realities of crime and sanitation issues continue to escalate. The community’s resilience is being tested, and their pleas for help echo louder than ever.
Stay tuned for updates as city officials work to implement the new law and explore potential solutions to this pressing issue in Lincoln Heights.
