City Attorney Wants Property Owner To Live At South LA 'Gang Stronghold'
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Prosecutors want the owner of a South Los Angeles apartment building to live at the property, which has been called "a dangerous gang stronghold" by prosecutors.
The nine-unit apartment building in the South Park community, across the street from the South Los Angeles Westlands Park, is allegedly the headquarters for the 52 Broadway Gangster Crips street gang, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said.
The property, which city officials say has been the site of shootings and robberies, is within a half-mile of four public schools. Just this year, there have been at least four shootings at the property, one during which someone at the property fired back, and an attack on a man, a woman and two teenage boys in their car.
"That's completely unacceptable. This neighborhood deserves far better," Feuer said in a statement.
"We allege it's not only an epicenter of #terror, it's a base for one of #losangeles' most notorious #gangs: https://t.co/seZvhoUbSM #news pic.twitter.com/4ZIlrtI07r
— The Office of Mike Feuer, L.A. City Attorney (@CityAttorneyLA) December 1, 2016
The abatement lawsuit was filed against Gregory Stanis White, Jr., the owner of the building at 366 East 55th Street. Feuer says both his office and the LAPD have notified White of the ongoing criminal gang activity, but no meaningful improvements have been made to curb the activity at the property.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction prohibiting gang and criminal activity on the property, improvements to the property including an internet-connected video monitoring system, improved lighting, secure gating and fencing, improved tenant screening and armed, licensed security guards.
The City Attorney's office also wants White to live at the property until all criminal activity has stopped.