As temperatures drop in Los Angeles, property owners and business operators near homeless encampments are increasingly on edge. The fires started by homeless individuals seeking warmth have led to numerous incidents of structural damage, yet efforts to address the issue remain insufficient.
Adding to their frustration is the lack of police intervention. Even when property owners report arson, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) often declines to investigate, citing difficulties in identifying and apprehending homeless suspects. Government agencies remain passive, leaving property owners to bear the burden alone.
On a recent night, a building located at 1200 W 8th Street near Koreatown suffered fire damage after flames from a nearby homeless encampment spread to its exterior wall. According to Brian Humphrey, spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department, the fire required 13 fire engines and 31 firefighters to extinguish.
In another incident, a homeless woman set fire to a pile of materials outside the LAKO Boxing Club near the intersection of York Avenue and Eagle Rock Boulevard. Flames erupted as she ignited a mattress and other debris on top of a tire. Fortunately, a passerby reported the fire, enabling firefighters to respond quickly and prevent the blaze from spreading to the club or nearby buildings.
Despite the clear danger, the LAPD declined to investigate the arson attempt at the boxing club, deeming the damage minor and the suspect difficult to track down.
For property owners like Mr. Chun, owning a building near homeless encampments has become untenable. Chun recently listed his single-story property near South Broadway and 32nd Street for sale after enduring two arson incidents within two years.
“Homeless individuals frequently start fires near my property, and the situation hasn’t improved,” Chun said. Last year, he spent $50,000 of his own money to install fencing around his property in an effort to prevent further incidents. However, the city fined him $1,750 for not obtaining prior approval for the fence.
“The city does nothing to help us, yet they penalize us for taking measures to protect our properties,” Chun lamented.
Chun has also faced challenges with fire recovery. To avoid skyrocketing premiums or losing coverage altogether, he chose to pay for fire repairs out of pocket rather than filing insurance claims. Despite this, his insurance premiums have continued to rise.
Peter Park, a claims adjuster and deputy vice president at Greenspan Adjusters, explained that insurance companies are increasingly hesitant to insure properties near homeless encampments due to fire risks. In some cases, premiums have quadrupled, making coverage unaffordable for property owners.
“The city is not addressing the fire risks posed by homeless encampments, leaving property owners to bear the brunt of the consequences,” Park said.
The issue extends beyond commercial properties. Youngji Kim, who works in the apparel industry in the heavily textile-focused Fashion District, expressed constant worry about the risk of fires spreading from nearby encampments to her workplace.
“The area is filled with flammable materials like fabrics, and the prevalence of homeless encampments only heightens the risk,” Kim said. She also noted concerns about homeless individuals setting fires near her apartment building, further emphasizing the pervasive anxiety many residents feel.
Property owners and residents alike are calling for stronger measures to prevent fires caused by homeless encampments. While the city has mechanisms for addressing such risks, responses are often slow, leaving vulnerable neighborhoods exposed.
As LA grapples with its homelessness crisis, a more proactive approach is urgently needed to address fire risks and support property owners and business operators trying to protect their livelihoods. Until then, frustration and fear will remain a daily reality for many Angelenos.
By Kyeongjun Kim [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
