Homeowners and renters living near the 7700 block of Mulholland Drive are pressing city officials to address a long‑standing safety problem at an abandoned property that has become a magnet for illegal activity.
According to residents, the vacant house has been used for unsanctioned parties, vandalism and the lighting of illegal fireworks, creating a fire hazard that threatens nearby homes. The situation escalated last week when three masked men opened fire on a man standing near the property, striking him in the leg. The victim was taken to a hospital, and the incident has left the neighborhood on edge.
Community calls for stronger enforcement
“It’s a real sign that the district needs to pay attention and we need more surveillance,” said Lisa, a local resident who asked that her last name not be published. She added, “The fire hazard is probably the most prevalent concern of all of ours. It is not a place that you need to be lighting fireworks or anything else.”
Neighbors say they have repeatedly contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, the city’s code‑enforcement division and Councilwoman Nithya Raman, but their complaints have produced little visible change. A padlock was installed on the gate after a recent NBCLA report, yet trespassers continue to enter the site.
City officials outline next steps
In response, the office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement noting that the Department of Building and Safety is “in the process of identifying funds to board up the property and we are sharing this information with LAPD.” The statement also referenced a mayoral letter to the city council requesting the restoration of $2 million earmarked for cleaning and securing abandoned, nuisance properties.
Councilwoman Raman has not yet provided a comment, but the mayor’s request signals a potential increase in resources for the city’s “abandoned‑property” program, which aims to prevent blight and protect residents from unsafe structures.
What residents hope for
Local residents are calling for regular police patrols, stricter code enforcement and a permanent solution such as boarding up or demolishing the building. “We want to feel safe walking our streets again,” said another neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous.
City officials say they are reviewing the situation and will coordinate with the LAPD to increase visibility in the area while the funding request moves through council deliberations. The outcome could set a precedent for how Los Angeles handles other abandoned properties that pose similar risks.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, community members remain vigilant, hoping that swift action will restore peace to the iconic Mulholland Drive corridor.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
