URGENT UPDATE: Residents of Humboldt Street in Lincoln Heights are facing an escalating crisis as inoperable RVs overrun their neighborhood, bringing with them sewage, trash, and increased crime. Frustration has boiled over, prompting residents to call on 7 On Your Side Investigates for intervention.
Stacy Vierheilig, who operates an industrial building filled with toys for underprivileged children, expressed her desperation. “This is not OK,” she stated, as she highlighted the pools of wastewater accumulating from the RVs lining both sides of the street. Cameras installed on her building have recorded multiple incidents of crime, including a recent theft where a man climbed onto her roof and stole copper wire from her air conditioner.
The situation has deteriorated so much that Vierheilig has fortified her building with security measures. Many nearby businesses are now caging their utilities to avoid metal theft, as chain link fences are frequently vandalized. Gabriel Perez, who manages a thrift store adjacent to Vierheilig’s property, reported that break-ins occur nearly every night. He expressed concerns for the safety of his employees and customers who are forced to navigate the street amid the RVs, stating, “For every dollar we have spent on patchwork, we are taking away from our mission to serve those in need.”
Local Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez confirmed her office is prioritizing this issue. Just weeks ago, she voted against a new state law that would allow the city to remove more RVs, raising the removal threshold from $500 to $4,000. “I didn’t want to give constituents the false hope that this is going to be the game changer around RVs in our city,” Hernandez explained.
Instead, Hernandez is focusing on securing funding for additional beds for the homeless as a more sustainable solution. “I don’t have a timeline for when those RVs will not be on that street,” she added, noting that the city is exploring alternative locations for RVs that would not disrupt the community.
Despite the councilmember’s reservations, the resolution to amend the RV removal law passed. The city is now working out implementation details for the new law, which is set to take effect next year. A spokesperson for Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the importance of this law, calling it a “vital tool” to address the growing issue of RV encampments across Los Angeles.
As residents continue to fortify their properties against the ongoing crisis, Vierheilig has recently installed a new iron fence, and Perez plans to do the same. The situation on Humboldt Street remains tense as the community awaits meaningful action from city officials.
For residents like Vierheilig and Perez, the need for immediate intervention is clear. “We need help,” Vierheilig pleaded, highlighting the urgent need for solutions to restore safety and cleanliness to their neighborhood.
This situation is developing, and further updates will follow as city leaders work to address the growing concerns of Humboldt Street residents.
