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Residents ask Cerritos to press Southern California Edison over weeds, pests and fire risk at Studebaker lot
Summary
Neighbors blamed an overgrown Southern California Edison lot on Studebaker for pest infestations, clogged pool filters and fire risk; the city manager said Edison inspected the site and had pest control spray the area, and staff will have code enforcement follow up.
Residents on July 10 urged the city to hold Southern California Edison (SCE) accountable for maintenance of a vacant Edison property on Studebaker, saying overgrown weeds and seed pods were causing insect infestations, clogged pool filters and an appearance of neglect.
Elaine McGee described repeated pest problems that she said cost her hundreds of dollars for pool-filter cleaning and pest control. She told the council a local Edison representative, "Ephraim," had said crews were on site and found no pests, but McGee and other neighbors disputed that assertion and said the problem persisted.
"The weeds on their land are growing back rapidly, and they are now again releasing white, fluffy seeds that are... causing real damage, clogging pool filters and impacting the upkeep of neighboring properties," McGee said.
City Manager Robert Lopez said he contacted the city’s government affairs representative at SCE the day after a previous council meeting to report resident concerns; he said Edison scheduled an inspection and contracted pest control to spray the area.
"They immediately scheduled someone to inspect the property and verify the concerns. They did have a pest control person come to spray the area," Lopez said. He added that while pest activity had subsided after spraying, the city would treat ongoing property-maintenance concerns seriously and have code enforcement reach out to Edison.
Other speakers — including neighborhood-watch volunteers who inspected the lot — described photos of trash, dry vegetation and debris on parts of the Edison site and said the site had been poorly maintained since a nursery tenant left earlier in the year. They raised concerns about rodent and roach activity, potential sparks and the nearby substation’s exposure to fire risk.
Lopez said he would personally follow up with Edison and ask the city’s code-enforcement division to contact the utility. Captain Drew Strong of the sheriff’s station was asked to help with complaint follow-up where appropriate.
No formal enforcement action against Edison was adopted at the meeting; staff said they would report back to the council on the status of Edison’s maintenance and pest-control measures.
