Garden Grove : Landlords Seek Moves to Fight Drug Traffic

An organization of property owners in Buena Clinton--an area in southeast Garden Grove plagued by high crime, overcrowding and poverty--has asked the City Council to consider a ban on all street parking in the area in an effort to squeeze out narcotics dealers.

The Village Grove Property Owners Assn., a group representing landlords of about 45% of the area’s more than 600 units, also on Monday asked that a ban on food trucks and parking on empty lots be considered. Spokesman Edward Kuo said that the ban would eliminate dealers who park and sell heroin from their vehicles and stressed that the food trucks should be eliminated because they block streets and pose a danger to pedestrians.

The council directed the city staff to draw up a temporary ordinance that would eliminate street parking subject to review after 60 days but made no recommendation regarding the food trucks. The ordinance will be considered by the Traffic Commission at its Oct. 9 meeting.

City Atty. Eric Lauterer said that the city has the ability to take any necessary measures to mitigate traffic problems.