LOS ANGELES, Calif., Nov. 16 – A family business in Reseda is facing a growing threat from recurring fires linked to a nearby homeless encampment, highlighting tensions over public safety and homelessness in the San Fernando Valley.
Karen Brewster, owner of Brewster Nutrition, a business established in 1950, says her livelihood is increasingly at risk as fires from the encampment threaten her property. Over the past month, six to seven fires have erupted near her business, including one that caused damage to her building.
Security footage captured by Brewster shows disturbing scenes of encampment residents allegedly setting fires. In one instance, an individual was recorded throwing a flaming object, sparking a blaze dangerously close to the business. “The main fire was from them making meth, which then caught their entire structure on fire,” Brewster said. “And then it caught our building on fire.”
Despite the clear hazards, Brewster and other local business owners have struggled to get a response from officials. Jurisdictional challenges complicate enforcement, as the encampment is on land owned by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). A parking lot adjacent to the encampment, which is supposed to be closed during certain hours, remains accessible, further exacerbating the problem.
Video evidence also shows that individuals in the encampment have tapped into municipal electrical boxes to siphon power, creating additional safety concerns for nearby residents and businesses.
The Los Angeles Police Department has maintained a presence in the area but has limited authority over the state-owned land. “It’s not right,” Brewster said. “Now that we need the city, they’re nowhere to be found. No one can help us.”
The fires and ongoing encampment activities have left the community on edge, with residents and business owners calling for immediate action. Many feel abandoned by local and state officials, who they say have failed to address the growing dangers posed by the encampment.
Brewster’s plight underscores broader challenges faced by communities grappling with the dual crises of homelessness and public safety. Advocates stress the need for comprehensive solutions that balance addressing homelessness with protecting businesses and residents from harm.
As the fires continue and frustrations mount, local leaders face increasing pressure to implement measures to ensure the safety of both housed and unhoused populations in the area. For Brewster and others like her, time is running out to safeguard their businesses and livelihoods.
