Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council to Host Abatement Talk

The(HHPNC) will present a brief agenda on Thursday evening, making room for a presentation from City Attorney Vanessa Alvarado on the topic of abatement.

According to the Los Angeles City Attorney, the office's Nuisance Abatement Program targets "abandoned structures, nuisance properties and blight plaguing neighborhoods throughout the City."

Thursday evening's presentation will provide Highland Park residents with information abut how they initiate abatement complaints.

"Abatement requires diligence and cooperation among neighbors, the City Attorney, and the local LAPD. It does work," "It can result in the eviction of a gang-infested, or drug-dealing house, or of Public Health and Safety violations. So instead of complaining, you can work with your neighbors and your local police to implement the legal process to get that house shut down."

LAPD Northeast Divsion Gang Unit Captain Rick Ortiz said that he's seen several abatement success stories in his years with the department, especially in the neighborhood of Glassell Park.

Ortiz said abatement is tool the city can use to encourage landlords to take steps to improve safety in their buildings, such as installing lights or security cameras.

It can also be used as a way to force landlords to evict tenants who habitually break the law on their property.

"Abatement is a way to force landlords to do their job, which is something the LAPD can't force them to do."

City Attorney Vanessa Alvarado will speak to attendees of the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council's meeting about abatement on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Highland Park Adult Senior Citizen Center, located at 6152 N. Figueroa Street.