Residents tell Pico Rivera council that blighted home on Lexington & Gallatin poses ongoing public-safety threat

Several Pico Rivera residents used the public-comment period at the Feb. 14 council meeting to demand stronger action on a long-running problem property at 8320 Lexington & Gallatin. Speakers described the home as red-tagged and uninhabitable, and said repeated arrests, drug use, assaults and vandalism have made neighbors fear for their safety.

Debbie Craddock, who identified herself as a lifelong resident of the block, said the property has been ‘‘destroyed and hoarded beyond the ability of the owner’s capability to restore it’’ and described repeated criminal activity and a backyard used as a dumping ground. ‘‘Criminals have been arrested repeatedly and taken to jail, only to return within hours or days,’’ she said, and asked the council to ensure those issues are resolved.

Letty Torres, who said she lives next door and runs a daycare, said the activity has affected her business and made her nervous about children’s safety. Patricia Garcia described seeing people smoking crack, strangers congregating and being threatened, and said the owner is an elderly woman with mental-health challenges who the neighbors fear may allow problem occupants to return if given access to the house.

Council members acknowledged the complaints. Mayor Camacho said staff and the sheriff’s department have been engaged and asked staff to investigate further and return to the next meeting with an update on actions taken and options available within legal parameters. The transcript records the pledge by council to work within legal limits and to bring an item back for follow up; no new enforcement action was recorded on the floor during the meeting.

Clarifying details provided in public comment included the address (8320 Lexington & Gallatin), the owner described as an elderly woman, and that the property had been red-tagged for uninhabitable conditions. Residents asked that, if the owner is allowed to re-enter the property, the city pursue measures to prevent prior criminal occupants from returning.

The council did not adopt a new ordinance or make a formal enforcement motion in the meeting; staff were asked to report back with the status of code-enforcement and sheriff involvement.