A Los Angeles business owner is calling on officials to take action to remove a homeless encampment in her area that she says has nude inhabitants and is deterring customers.
The woman, who asked to be identified only as ‘Debra,’ told ABC 7 that she has owned a hair business near San Vicente Boulevard in Beverly Grove for two decades, but issues with the nearby unhoused population increased more recently.
‘I have a nice clientele, but now my clientele is getting to the point where they just don’t feel comfortable,’ she said, noting that she is also nervous to stay open past 6 p.m.
One photo taken on Tuesday shows a naked woman lounging on a couch at the encampment.
‘I saw the couch one day out there and I think, “Oh my God,’” Debra recalled.
‘The next day, I came back and see she’s all over the couch and she’s just naked. She was crying. I felt bad for her, you know? I wanted to like give her something to cover up but I felt like if I do the little things, then I’ll have everyone coming and asking for help.’
Debra alleged that she called her councilmember about the issue, but has not received a reply.
Dr. Kenneth Wright, who owns a medical practice on the block, backed up Terani’s claims, and says LAPD officers have told him there is nothing they can do about the situation.
‘I talked to the officer — he’s a great guy — he says, ‘Look, they tell me from the mayor’s office, they tell me from my chief, to leave them here,’ Wright said.
‘We’re not enforcing vagrancy laws here.’
Wright also showed the outlet photos of a homeless encampment behind his office that eventually went up in flames, costing him $25,000 in damages.
