Hollywood residents fear homeless encampment near school and church will return after recent cleanup

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Residents of a Hollywood neighborhood fear that a homeless encampment near a church and preschool that was evacuated Wednesday could quickly resurface.

An Eyewitness News viewer emailed us about the large Wilton Place encampment.

On Wednesday morning, Los Angeles sanitation workers cleared the encampment that was blocking a sidewalk used by preschoolers. But will this be the end?

The First Southern Baptist Church across the street has dealt with vandalism in the neighborhood, including stolen security cameras and broken windows.

“We still have summer school, so parents and children still need to be able to walk down the sidewalk and be safe in the city,” said John Henyard, a deacon at the church.

Grant Elementary School is adjacent to the encampment along Highway 101.

“I worry about their children, about the school they have to go to and walking down the street,” said Ramon Vaca, who has lived in Hollywood for 25 years.

“Litter is something we have to deal with, drug use, needles on the ground,” says Hollywood resident Leigh Martin.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers informed residents of the encampment on Tuesday that the city would be cleaning it up. Neighbors said the cleanup was nothing new.

“I've noticed the city has tried a few times to clean up that particular area. It'll be clean for a week or two before they come back here,” Martin said. “But they've done their best to keep it clean, I can say that.”

Residents believe the encampment will return, based on previous cleanups, also noting that the church offering free weekly meals could help.

“If the homeless come to this area looking for food, they're going to stay here,” Vaca said.