Phones’ Removal Sought
The Los Angeles City Council is trying to force the owner of two telephone booths in North Hills that are allegedly used by drug dealers to remove them or restrict their use.
“This is a request we got from the residents,” Council President Alex Padilla said. The phones, he said, “are contributing to crime in the community.”
On a motion from Padilla, the council unanimously voted to seek public nuisance abatement proceedings against the company that owns the booths. The motion also asks the city attorney’s office to investigate whether any charges might be brought against the owner.
Residents had long complained that several phone booths near Parthenia Street and Cedros Avenue were used by drug dealers to conduct business, according to Padilla’s office.
In late February, the company removed some of the booths that were in the public right-of-way, said David Gershwin, a spokesman for Padilla. Recently, though, Gershwin said the company installed two booths on private property.
The company should be liable because the phone booths, even though on private property, affect the quality of life in the community, Gershwin said.
Under the motion, the city attorney must report back to the City Council within 14 days.
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