A vacant lot in Koreatown, which has turned into a homeless encampment for more than a year, continues to create problems for residents and those living inside the camp.
The lot is located in the 700 block of Manhattan Place. KNX News’ Pete Demetriou went to the area, where he reported seeing a half dozen shelters and trash and debris scattered on the ground.
A woman who lives next door told Demetriou the issue has gotten worse over the last year or so.
“It's really just a smell, and just how many people come in and out and we don't know what's going on inside,” she said.
Imelda, who also lives in an apartment next door, said the owner has let the property become a safety hazard for the entire community.
“In two years, two [people] died,” she said. “It burned up. Since six months, this whole thing [has gotten]’ worse and worse.”
A man who has been living at the encampment for eight months told Demetriou that even he thinks things are getting worse.
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“We've had some guests that haven't been that great,” he said. “Sometimes when people are on the street and they appear to be on the street and they need help. We try to help them and they end up being more of a problem than you don't end up helping anybody because they hust pretty much burn your spot down and bring drama and fights.”
He also said that there is a man who claims to own the property that has been there once or twice and allows them to live on site.
The man also told Demetriou that there’s reportedly some aid that will be coming from the city of L.A. by Thursday, but that no one really knows if that will be an offer of shelter or an effort to completely clear the property.
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