An abandoned mansion in the affluent Hollywood Hills neighborhood has become an eyesore after squatters and taggers vandalized the property, leaving the once-pristine estate in disrepair.
In the heart of the ritzy Hollywood Hills neighborhood, two abandoned mansions stand as eyesores, marred by graffiti and overrun by squatters. Once symbols of opulence and luxury, these mansions have become a blight on the community, attracting crime and detracting from the area's pristine reputation.
The owner of the mansions, film producer John P. Middleton, has faced backlash from neighbors and city officials alike for allowing the properties to deteriorate. Middleton, the son of Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton, has apologized for the state of the mansions and has pledged to clean them up and sell them as soon as possible.
Hollywood Hills Eyesore: Abandoned Mansions Plagued by Squatters and Taggers
However, progress has been slow, as squatters continue to occupy the mansions and taggers deface the exterior walls. Middleton has hired armed security guards to protect the properties, but the trespassers continue to break in and vandalize the premises.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has responded to numerous calls for service at the mansions, including reports of prowlers, burglary suspects, and vandalism. The city has issued citations to Middleton for failing to secure the properties, and has threatened to demolish them if he does not take immediate action.
Hollywood Hills Eyesore: Abandoned Mansions Plagued by Squatters and Taggers
Middleton has expressed frustration with the persistence of the trespassers and vandals, and has called on the city to do more to combat the issue. He has also pledged to prosecute anyone caught trespassing or vandalizing the mansions to the full extent of the law.
L.A. City Councilwoman Nithya Raman has been working closely with Middleton and the city to address the situation. Raman has praised Middleton for taking responsibility for the mansions and for working to clean them up and secure them.
Hollywood Hills Eyesore: Abandoned Mansions Plagued by Squatters and Taggers
However, Raman has also acknowledged that abandoned buildings are a pervasive issue for the city, and that the city does not have the resources to keep up with enforcement. Raman has pledged to work with the city to update its protocols for dealing with abandoned properties and to provide more support to property owners who are struggling to maintain their homes.
In the meantime, the mansions in Hollywood Hills remain an eyesore, a reminder of the challenges the city faces in addressing the issue of abandoned properties and homelessness. Residents and city officials alike hope that Middleton's efforts to clean up and sell the mansions will be successful, and that the once-beautiful estates can be restored to their former glory.
Hollywood Hills Eyesore: Abandoned Mansions Plagued by Squatters and Taggers
