Hollywood, California
Hollywood, CA - Dangerous Conditions around Fountain & Vine
Conditions around Fountain & Vine have become so dangerous that, notwithstanding the current COVID-19 regulations and with all other efforts failing, I have written the following letter to Los Angeles City Council member Mitch O'Farrell. Not having received a response, I post it here:
"Dear Council Member O'farrell:
I am a senior citizen tenant in...... We once had the honor of welcoming you to our building and it was a great pleasure to meet you and hear your short presentation. Let me say, as someone who supports your work, voted for you and thinks you are doing a tremendous job, I appreciate all your hard work on behalf of District 13 and recognize the many ways you and your talented, dedicated staff have improved the quality of life for the District’s residents.
However, having exhausted other efforts to deal with this issue, the conditions in the immediate vicinity of (my building) have become untenable for myself and my fellow senior citizens living at (my building). . Many of us, including myself, do not own a car, making walking an imperative both for shopping, such as going to the pharmacy, as well as getting in the exercise necessary to main good health. I am sensitive to our un housed neighbors and only, like you, want to help support more resources not only to get them permanent shelter, but also the mental healthcare many of them so badly need. However, when conditions evolve to festering crime, including open drug addiction, unsanitary conditions, including deficating on the street (creating a great health hazard particularly for seniors), the blandishment of weapons, blocking sidewalks forcing anyone to pass having to walk with traffic in the street (particularly difficult for a senior) and having loud fights and other noise, including screaming, particularly at night, something more has to be done. And by something more, I mean more than a one time cleanup.
To be specific, I’m taking about the eastern side of Vine Street, south of Fountain Ave, encompassing that whole block south of La Mirada, but focused around Goddwill’s drop off facility and store, now apparently the only tenant in that strip mall that is open. The fact that the County mental health facility on the corner of southeast corner of Vine and La Mirada has a windowless, cement facade on its ground floor, precluding ground floor retail which might attract foot traffic, makes sad conditions even worse. (Ideally the County mental health facility should relocate along and that location along with the adjacent strip mall should be developed into new multi unit housing that would include units for low income tenants. But please - we can’t do nothing while we wait for the ideal). The other location, particularly detrimental to (my building's) tenants is the south side of Fountain Ave just east of Vine, where, against the north wall of the strip mall more often than not the entire sidewalk is blocked, with equally bad sanitary conditions, making it impossible to walk from ....to Vine Street without leaving the sidewalk and walking against traffic in the street.
Again, I appreciate all your hard work of you and your staff. You are truly dedicated public servants. . I know the conditions I describe are challenging to correct on a permanent basis. But as I wrote, I have exhausted all other channels, so am now crying out to you for help.
Thank you."