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Neighbors press Cerritos council to act after growing encampment near Gridley and 180th
Summary
Residents told the Cerritos City Council that a homeless encampment along railroad tracks near 180th Street and Gridley has expanded, with daily fires, trash and safety concerns, and county deputies and city staff described a 14‑day posting-and-citation process but said cleanup and removal will be required for a long‑term solution.
Residents from neighborhoods near 180th Street and Gridley told the Cerritos City Council that a homeless encampment alongside the railroad tracks near Studebaker has grown over recent weeks and is spilling into nearby streets and backyards.
"As of this week, I estimate 20 to 25 individuals living in the makeshift structures," said resident Jared Luhan during public comment, adding that he had counted "at least seven separate camps" and said fires were being lit daily. Neighbors reported trash, people entering residential streets, open defecation and unstable behavior, and they said one home had been broken into in daylight.
Captain Drew Strong of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department told the council deputies and code enforcement inspected the site May 20, posted fresh trespass signs and issued citations to some people. "We post a sign for 14 days, we offer assistance, and if they refuse assistance and remain, 14 days later we cite them," Captain Strong said. He added that citations alone were not a long‑term solution because people often return to sites that are not cleaned up and said removal of encampments and cleanup will be required for a lasting fix.
Mayor Frank Yokoyama asked staff to speak with the residents after public comment and to provide ongoing updates. City Manager Robert Lopez said staff had also contacted county representatives and urged transit agency owners of the land to act quickly; the council and sheriff noted that the rail and right‑of‑way parcels are owned by agencies such as LA Metro and Southern Pacific and that property ownership complicates cleanup responsibility.
Neighbors said they had already contacted the sheriff, code enforcement and the fire department and provided video and photos. Several speakers asked the city to coordinate with LA Metro to remove the encampment and to provide more frequent updates to residents.
The council did not take a formal vote on enforcement at the meeting but directed staff to meet with affected residents, continue coordination with the Sheriff's Station and county partners, and pursue removal and cleanup in coordination with the property owners.
The council also asked staff to provide a short written update to the neighborhood the next day with contacts and next steps.
Ending: City staff said they would follow up with residents and that the Sheriff's Station planned continued citations and outreach; the council emphasized the need for a coordinated approach with property owners for a lasting cleanup.
