Some Hollywood residents may be fed up with homelessness in their neighborhoods and vote differently in local elections.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday that there is a growing problem with homeless camps around Cahuenga Boulevard, Wilcox Street, Franklin and other areas of the city.
“There have been at least four homeless camp fires in the area over the past three months. No injuries have been reported, but some people in the area are nervous, residents said. In the past few years, they have started fires as well, he said, “having to contend with screaming in the middle of the night, human waste on sidewalks and porches, drug use outside, and in some cases, threats of violence.” It is written in the report.
The article noted that some residents feel “disappointed” by Democratic Mayor Karen Bass and are considering voting against Councilwoman Nitya Raman.
Los Angeles local residents frequently express concern about homeless encampments forming in their neighborhoods. (Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
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“People are afraid for their safety,” said Alexa Aires Scarperos, co-chair of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Community Policing Advisory Committee. “The next fire could cause not only property damage but also catastrophic fatalities.”
Scarpelos told the LA Times that he will vote for Deputy City Councilman Atty. Ethan Weaver was elected to the city council in the March 5 local election.
Jeannie Griffin, a resident who moved in 2017 to be closer to family, said she regrets voting for Raman and said she hopes Weaver will win. As a therapist specializing in addiction, Griffin said many of the local homeless residents “show signs of serious methamphetamine use” and “confront passersby, yell at cars, or masturbate in public.” “They’re doing something horrifying,” he said.
Some residents are considering voting against City Councilor Nitya Raman because of homelessness. ((Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News, via Getty Images)/(Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times, via Getty Images))
“They’re agitated, they’re combative, they’re talking to themselves,” Griffin said.
Debra Gaynor, who owns two rental properties in the area, also told the LA Times she would vote for Weaver.
“We’re tired of dealing with this problem,” Gaynor said.
Weaver said he was open to designating more areas of the city as no-encampment zones, but Raman opposed the idea, saying it would push the homeless “deep into residential and commercial areas.” refused.
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“I’m really trying to find a path to actually get people off the streets forever,” Raman said.
FOX News Digital has reached out to City Councilman Raman and Los Angeles Mayor Bass for comment.
FOX News Digital has reached out to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for comment. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
In 2023, authorities reported that more than 75,500 people were homeless per night in Los Angeles County, an increase of 9% from the previous year, and approximately 46,200 people in the city.
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FOX News’ Bailey Hill contributed to this report.
