Garden Bed Planters Removed Along Sunset Boulevard, Sparking Controversy Among Locals
Some Hollywood business owners are up in arms over the removal of garden bed planters aimed at deterring homeless encampments in the area. The city claims that the businesses installed the planters without a permit, but owners argue that they took action after their complaints were ignored.
Local business owners had installed garden bed planters in early May to prevent homeless encampments. Blake Edwards, who works in advertising in the area, believes that the planters should remain in place to address the homelessness issue. He mentions feeling threatened and unable to do his job when the encampments were present.
Those in support of the planters argue that the street was filled with homeless encampments and trash for over two years. They criticize the City of Los Angeles for failing to solve the problem effectively. Edwards highlights the negative impact of the encampments, especially with a high school located nearby.
After successfully clearing out an encampment with garden beds within days, crews arrived on Monday morning and removed them without warning or notice. A representative from City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez’s office explained that this was due to not having permits and stated that those living there were relocated as part of the Inside Safe program.
Local businesses expressed concerns about their ability to find a replacement or beautification strategy to address homelessness compassionately without further alienating those living on Sunset Boulevard. Andrew Monheim emphasized that this was not a war on homelessness but rather a response to neglect by government officials and a lack of resources dedicated to addressing this complex issue.
The removal of these planters has sparked controversy among locals who feel frustrated and helpless against an issue that has plagued their community for years.
As crews cleared out more than 100 garden beds along Sunset Boulevard, some residents questioned why they were being removed when they had been successful in clearing out several homeless encampments within days.
Blake Edwards, who works in advertising nearby, was particularly vocal about his frustration with the removal of these planters. He argued that they had been installed after he reached out to local officials about growing litter and trash on Sunset Boulevard.
“These gardens helped us clear out three or four homeless encampments,” Edwards said. “We just want some kind of solution other than tearing down our property.”
Local businesses expressed concern about finding alternative strategies for addressing homelessness without further antagonizing those living on Sunset Boulevard.
