A fenced-off RV storage lot in the City of Industry has become the center of a troubling squatting issue, according to local authorities and residents.
Two years ago, numerous individuals started inhabiting the RVs illegally, with the situation escalating significantly since December last year, News Nation reported.
The affected area, mainly storing Blackseries RVs, has seen substantial damage as reported on Tuesday morning by NewsNation affiliate KTLA. The visuals showed several RVs with removed roofs and widespread garbage, highlighting the severity of the misconduct.
Employees and locals have noticed the takeover steadily worsening. Gerardo Torres, an employee in the vicinity, expressed his concern, noting the extensive damage to the vehicles. "All the trailers are damaged, broken, flipped over … they’ve been set on fire," he said. His statement reflects the dangers that now haunt the once orderly lot.
Adding to the distress, unsuspecting workers must frequently check whether fires have damaged their vehicles. "You know we have to go look, make sure it’s not our cars that are caught on fire," Torres added, illustrating the everyday hazards the situation has created.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis clarified the situation, indicating that this disruption stemmed from a private disagreement. Solis explained that the landowner initiated legal actions to reclaim the lot as early as September 2024. "It is my understanding that on September 6, 2024, the property owner initiated legal proceedings to regain possession of the site," she stated.
After trekking through legal procedures, the property owner succeeded in securing a judgment for possession recently. This milestone suggests a possible nearing resolution as authorities start to intervene more decisively.
The logistics of who exactly the squatters are paying rent to remain murky. Some of the unauthorized tenants claim to be paying somebody for their stay, yet it's still uncertain who this mysterious recipient might be. This confusion has undoubtedly complicated the legal proceedings and delayed resolution.
The RV lot, being on private property, implies that the primary responsibility for resolving these issues lies with the property owner. However, the involvement of the local government through legal advisories and law enforcement could potentially assist in expediting the matter.
The unidentified property manager shared an update on ongoing efforts to clear out the squatters. Now that they have secured legal backing in the form of an eviction order, they hope to restore the RV lot to its intended use soon.
"The lot is apparently rented out to the Blackseries RV company," the property manager mentioned, linking the lot's intended purpose to the ongoing squatting saga. This relationship might provide leverage to hasten the eviction process, as the squatters are significantly hampering rightful economic activities.
The persistent presence of squatters and the associated risks have, therefore, provoked community and safety concerns. Moreover, the property damage, the potential fire hazards, and the breach of private property laws continue to strain resources and threaten public safety.
Meanwhile, as the community waits for a resolution, the emphasis remains on everyone's safety and the legal restoration of property rights. Ultimately, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that arise when property rights, public safety, and legal processes intersect under complex circumstances.
