Illegal Curb Painting Taking Place

Property owners in La Cañada are being solicited by obscure companies asking for money in exchange for professionally painted address numbers at their curb.

According to city personnel, that service is illegal because the companies are not licensed by the city. Why not? Because the city offers that service at no cost to the residents.

The address curbside painting notice found circulating in the area of Milmada Drive Tuesday was white and titled “Notice.” Posted with tape on the side of mailboxes, the flier tells residents that, for their safety, they should take advantage of the opportunity.

“Our highly visible address number will help 911 devices find your home without delay,” reads the note, which does not include a company’s contact number. “Address numbers on top of the curb are easily seen while sitting high up on a fire truck and cannot be rubbed off. Homes that are not adequately numbered may possibly cost lives,” it says. Prices for the service, depending on the design selected, range between $15 and $40.

According to a spokesperson at City Hall, the Public Works Department repaints curb addresses on a portion of the city’s streets about every 12 months. Entire streets are done all at once rather than just for single properties. However, if a single residence is in need of a repainted curb and can cite extenuating circumstances, then the city will likely grant the request.

Neighboring La Crescenta has also received unsolicited services for curbside painting by a company that goes by the name Curbs U.S.A. Their approach is different, according to employee Jesse Acosta. He first passes out the yellow flier.

“It’s all voluntary with the permission of the resident, then a monetary donation is asked,” said Acosta, who said doing the work by donation is a risk for the company because sometimes the resident is not at home at the time of collection or the resident can choose not give a donation at all.