West
Owner of abandoned Hollywood Hills mansions provides update on cleanup efforts: 'Significant progress'
The owner of two Hollywood Hills mansions that had been overrun by squatters and taggers said there has been “significant progress” made in the cleanup efforts.
“I’m pleased to report significant progress: The crews I hired have cleaned up all of the graffiti at both of my houses,” John Powers Middleton said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.
Middleton provided images of the progress on the homes to Fox News Digital, which show that they have been cleared of graffiti.
“I am pleased to have gotten this done, and I wanted to share the updated photos. I will continue to do everything possible to keep the vandals and trespassers away, and to keep these properties clean and in good condition,” Middleton said in a statement.
Middleton added that he has been in contact with the city and is keeping them updated on his clean-up progress.
CALIFORNIA OWNER OF SQUATTER-INFESTED HOLLYWOOD HILLS MANSION APOLOGIZES, OFFERS TO REPAY TAXPAYER FUNDS
The owner of the abandoned Hollywood Hills mansions provided a progress update on the clean-up efforts. (John P. Middleton Press)
“I have also been speaking to City Councilmember Raman’s office and other City officials to update them on the progress. I thank them for their efforts. We are also in contact with LAPD to ensure the neighborhoods remain safe,” Middleton continued.
John P. Middleton, a film producer and son of Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton, faced previous backlash as the two Hollywood Hills mansions became eyesores in the ritzy Los Angeles neighborhood.
“I will continue to do everything I can to fix these houses and keep them free from graffiti. It’s tough to do given the crime problems in Los Angeles, but I’m determined to do the right thing here. The 24/7 armed security teams I hired will remain in place,” Middleton said.
Middleton added that he hopes the trespassers and vandals who did this will be held accountable.
“There is a sense of invincibility amongst the vandals as many times the very same people arrested previously are returning and threatening our guards and the police. If something isn’t done, they will return to do it again, not only at my house but anywhere they choose,” Middleton said.
SQUATTERS TURN HOLLYWOOD HILLS MANSION INTO ‘EYESORE’ WITH GRAFFITI: VIDEO
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) previously told Fox News Digital that the Hollywood Hills area has received and responded to 17 calls for service in the 1700 block of Sunset Plaza Drive so far this year.
Police said they have received eight calls for prowler suspects, six calls for possible burglary suspects and three calls for service for vandalism.
“I’m doing my best to make the houses secure and fix them up, with the intent to sell each as soon as possible. I’m disappointed to note that even as I have worked this week to paint over the graffiti, vandals still managed to break in and paint over the newly cleaned walls. Given the persistence of the numerous trespassers, it’s a struggle,” Middleton said in a previous statement.
“What’s happened to my property is criminal, and I hope everyone caught will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. No one in Los Angeles should have to put up with squatters and vandalism that are out of control,” Middleton continued.
L.A. City Councilwoman Nithya Raman told Fox News Digital that Middleton’s attorney has been in touch, and they have been painting the property.
The abandoned mansion is legally owned by film producer John Powers Middleton, known for his work on “The Lego Movie.” (KTTV)
“I am pleased to report that earlier this week – after two years attempting to make contact – an attorney representing the property owner reached out to our office to notify us that he will be taking accountability for the two abandoned Hollywood Hills mansions and taking responsibility for all payments the City has incurred thus far,” Raman said in a statement.
“The owner has since issued a letter of apology to neighbors and is working to secure both properties and clean them up, with the intent to sell as quickly as possible. The owner has also hired contractors to repaint both properties, which should be completed within the next few days, and is funding 24/7 security at both sites,” Raman continued.
Raman said that neither situation is being taken lightly and that the city is working to combat the issue at both properties located at 7571 Mulholland Drive and 1754 N Sunset Plaza Drive.
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Taggers and squatters have targeted another abandoned mansion on Sunset Boulevard. (FOX 11 Los Angeles)
“Unfortunately, this is not a unique case: abandoned buildings are a pervasive issue for the city. While the Department of Building and Safety has the authority to secure vacant properties if an owner fails to do so, it simply does not have the resources to keep up with enforcement,” Raman said.
Raman added that the city also has the authority to demolish vacant or abandoned properties if they are found to constitute a public nuisance, but he said the protocols currently in use rely on procedures and legal guidance that are more than 20 years old and are not responsive to the current needs on the ground, where they have so many abandoned properties and so few city staff to follow up on problem properties.
“My office will continue to be in close contact with DBS and LAPD to monitor the Hollywood Hills properties in the coming days and weeks, and we will work to ensure that the property owner continues to take full responsibility for properly securing these sites,” Raman said.
John Powers Middleton is best known for his work on the films “Oldboy” (2013) and “Manchester by the Sea” (2016).
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San Francisco, CA
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Denver, CO
City of Denver says images of piling waste a case of illegal dumping
DENVER (KDVR) – A Denver Park Hill Resident says trash in her alley hasn’t been picked up by city-run waste collection in more than 2 months.
“It’s starting to be frustrating because that pile has been there 2.5 months, and I’m not kidding about that,” Andrea Sanders-Childs said.
A spokesperson for Denver’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) says they did receive a call about the address on Krameria in mid-June and are investigating the case as ‘illegal dumping’ versus ‘missed collection.’
The DOTI spokesperson says more information will be available when the inspector assigned to the area returns on Wednesday.
Sanders-Childs said that the people who live in the home closest to the mess had actually rented a dumpster; however, it was eventually picked up and towed away.
In the meantime, for Denver residents, DOTI provided FOX31 with the following reminders:
- Carts that are overfilled, stuffed or too heavy cannot be emptied
- All trash must be inside the cart, and overflow trash cannot be collected
- To report illegal dumping, call 311
Seattle, WA
14-year-old dies in electric motorcycle crash at Seattle bike park
SEATTLE — Seattle police responded Tuesday evening to a fatal motorcycle crash at I-5 Colonnade Park in Seattle’s Eastlake neighborhood.
According to police, dispatchers received a call just after 6 p.m. reporting that a 14-year-old boy had been injured while riding an electric motorcycle down a flight of stairs in the park.
When medics arrived, they found the teen with severe head and body injuries.
Despite life-saving efforts, he died at the scene.
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Seattle police said the teen was wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the crash.
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