RV Chaos in LA: A Community Struggles with Homelessness and Crime

In a part of Los Angeles County, RVs are taking over the streets. This isn't a fun road trip scenario. It's a growing problem that's causing big issues for locals and business owners. The area has become a hotspot for illegal dumping and copper theft. It's a mess, and people are frustrated. Some RVs have been cleared out, and things have gotten better in certain spots. But in other areas, new encampments keep popping up. Business owners say these encampments are to blame for the rise in crime and trash. One business owner, Barry Brucker, had his place vandalized. Thieves stole copper piping and wiring worth $100, 000. His business is now shut down, and he's moving out. Brucker reached out to local officials for help, but the problems kept getting worse. The sheriff's department said they couldn't do much, but County Supervisor Holly Mitchell disagrees. She says copper theft is a big issue everywhere, not just here. Mitchell points to a new pilot program as a step in the right direction. This program lets RV owners park in a county lot while they wait for permanent housing. But there's a catch: the RVs must be in working condition, and owners need to prove they own them. That's not always easy to find in this area. Michael West, another business owner, says the RVs are causing big problems for his company. They've tapped into his gas, electric, and water lines. There have even been fires. It's dangerous, and his employees don't want to come to work. Right outside his business, Jennifer Munoz and her three kids live in a trailer. She wants to leave but says there's not enough housing for everyone in need. Mitchell says the solution to homelessness is housing. She's working with the sheriff's department, fire department, and animal control to tackle the issues. Trash pickup has improved, but illegal dumping is still a huge problem. It's a slow process, and everyone wants things to move faster. This problem didn't happen overnight, and it won't be solved overnight. But for now, the community is stuck in a cycle of crime and despair.