City Urged to Remove Street Barricade

Councilman Ernani Bernardi presented a motion Friday asking the City Council to remove a concrete barricade on Blythe Street in Panorama City.

The barricade was placed at the intersection of Blythe Street and Willis Avenue in 1987 to help police arrest drug buyers.

“But now conditions have changed,” Bernardi said.

At a meeting held last month to discuss the barricade, residents and owners of apartments on the street were split on the issue.

Some complained that the barricade has made life easier for gang members who stand on the sidewalk selling drugs--with only one entrance and exit to the street they can easily see police coming and run away or hide to avoid arrest.

Members of the Los Angeles Police Department said the barricade hampered their efforts and recommended that it be removed.

But others wanted the barricade to stay, arguing that it has decreased drug sales and other crime on the street.

Bernardi said he does not expect the motion to be opposed when it goes before the full council Tuesday.

“I think the barricades will be down next week,” he said.