The mystery remains over who placed a series of concrete barriers along streets throughout the West Valley in Southern California.
Some believe the numerous concrete cinder blocks are an effort to prevent homeless encampments and recreational vehicles (RVs) from parking in the area long-term.
Recently, the heavy, bright-colored blocks were installed in an industrial area of Chatsworth, just off Nordhoff Avenue. In other areas, rows of large 60-gallon barrels of water were placed on the street instead.
Both city officials and the mayor’s office confirmed they did not install the barriers or water barrels.
Residents in the area remain puzzled. Although the motive remains unclear, homeless advocates said the blocks are not a helpful solution to issues of homelessness.
However, residents and nearby business owners confirmed the barriers have been an effective deterrent against encampments and excess trash.
Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA) Large, 60-gallon barrels filled with water were inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA) Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA) Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA) Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA) Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA) Heavy, brightly-colored concrete barriers have been inexplicably placed on streets across the West San Fernando Valley area in a possible attempt to prevent homeless encampments and long-term RV parking. (KTLA)
Pastor Kathy Huck is the CEO of About My Father’s Business Homeless Outreach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping and advocating for homeless residents.
Huck said the blocks and barrels are actually hurting the unhoused population.
“These barriers are not the answer,” Huck said. “To live in an RV is, I would say, discouraged because there’s no barrier for tents, but there are barriers in streets all over the West Valley for RVs.”
Huck said about 75% of the people she serves across the San Fernando Valley rely on their RV for shelter.
Many of her clients’ vehicles are in danger and subject to towing or destruction on a daily basis. With these blockades in place, they’re essentially displaced because they can’t find a safe place to park.
Huck said it also makes the job of homeless outreach workers more difficult because they can’t locate these individuals to help.
“We’re spending money trying to find people so we can get them immediate needs so that they’re taken care of until they are placed,” Huck explained. “How are people finding their clients? So, this undermines the City’s efforts to house people because you can’t house people that you can’t find.”
Tobie Von Bloes and Rob Lowe, a couple who lives in their RV, said it’s been tough to find a safe place to stop and rest.
“I just think people don’t really understand what we’re going through,” Lowe said. “They don’t like us here for some reason.”
“It’s getting really hard to find a place to park,” Von Bloes said. “And we’re just doing the best we can to live our lives. I think there are people that have given us a bad name and so the businesses really frown down on the motor homes.”
The L.A. Department of Water and Power also said they are unaware of the barriers. KTLA has reached out to the Department of Transportation and is awaiting a response.
If a private group or citizen is responsible for installing the barriers, the legality of the move remains in question.