A San Fernando Valley business owner is fed up.
CBSLA reporter Rick Montanez spoke to Human Micah, owner of Tuxedo Rental Store in Northridge, who said his business is thriving thanks to the neighborhood created by the homeless enclave in front of his store.
Micah said the store, Azar Man, located at 19348 Londelius Ave., has been hit hard by homeless people.
Origin Mika
Micah said anyone who buys the business or any business nearby sees nothing but open drug use, dumping and illegal parking, all of which contribute to Tuxedo’s declining rents and revenue.
To make matters worse, Micah said that there was little activity in the city of Los Angeles.
“This is what we see when we go in and out during the day. And instead of focusing on the business, we need to call (for help) so that the business can grow,” said Mika.
Micah said he called the police. He called the local council office and other city departments to get them to remove the items that piled up and sometimes blocked the sidewalks.
He posted photos on Facebook asking for the community’s help, for which CBSLA obtained this story.
“It’s not just an eye problem, it’s a health problem. We have people taking drugs. We’ve seen prostitution. We’ve seen … you name it,” Mika said.
In addition to Mika’s tuxedo business, the auto shop owner across the street said he lost his top customer.
And a nearby church told Montanez its parishioners didn’t feel safe in the area.
Brian Cashman, pastor of Valley Metro Church, said, “Every night when I come home, there are 8 people sitting here who are so pumped they don’t even know you have to go.”
Cashman said parents don’t want to drop their kids off at the church for events because of the crowd.
Women’s service programs left the scene because they felt unsafe.
“It’s an uphill battle because again the city is not doing their part,” Cashman said.
Cashman and Micah said they’ve seen city workers and police respond and offer housing or assistance to people who live there, but more needs to be done.
CBSLA staff
