We received a “Grime & Crime” report from reader Dave F. about a very troublesome group of transients at the vacant bank building on Washington Blvd. We notified LAPD, who were well aware of the individuals who were squatting on the property, well hidden behind the cyclone fencing and drape that surrounded the building. This encampment contributed to an upsurge in crime in the area, and had a very negative impact on Gaby’s Express and other local businesses who suffered from the bad behavior, trash and debris left by the transients. “One of them broke open a featherbed, and for days there were thousands of feathers blowing into our drive through window,” said Bill, one of the workers at Gaby’s.
Venice311 contacted the property owner who has been waiting on the City for change of use of the building from a Bank to a Medical / Dental Office. The owner has been extremely troubled by the degrading condition of the building from the taggers and transients, but like many was not sure how to combat the problem. We met with him and some of the local homeless outreach officers at the property to evaluate the condition of the grounds and to give him suggestions on how to combat the issue. The suggestions from LAPD were as follows:
- Fill out a trespass authorization form and file it with the LAPD Pacific Division Department
- Install “No Trespassing” signs
- Remove the fence netting so officers driving by can see into the property and see if there are tresspassers
- Turn on the lights in the parking lot and around the building at night
- Remove the graffiti
- Clear away any trash, brush and foliage on the property
All of the above have been done, and graffiti removal is scheduled for this week. Trash, and drug paraphernalia were strewn all over the property from the transient encampment.
Arturo from Bill Rosendahl’s office also helped with getting the building owner in contact with the proper City departments to keep the project moving forward properly.
We look forward to the new Medical / Dental office opening in this space soon!
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