Residents living in the affluent Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles can now breathe a sigh of relief after over seven tons of trash were removed from a property known as the ‘trash house’. The property, which has been a source of complaints for over a decade, was swarmed by workers in hazmat suits who cleared out the mountains of garbage bags while vermin scattered from the rotting debris. The immediate excavation was prompted by Mayor Karen Bass, Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, and Department of Public Works staffers after a visit to the property. Yaroslavsky revealed that one ton of the trash removed was flammable and hazardous material.
The situation at the property had become a public health and safety risk, with complaints ranging from trash spilling onto the driveway, overgrown plants, and a repugnant odor permeating the community. Neighbors had reported worsening conditions, including an increase in flies and insects. The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety declared the property an imminent public safety risk, leading to the swift removal of trash from the yard. However, LAPD officers were unable to locate the homeowner, Raymond Gaon, inside the residence. Gaon, who has lived in the property since the mid-90s, had previously been ordered to remove the garbage in 2014 and faced misdemeanor charges for noncompliance in 2017, which were later dismissed in 2019.
Concerns for Gaon’s welfare have become a priority, as neighbors suspect he may be experiencing mental health issues. Gaon’s sister, Leah, indicated that she had purchased the property for her brother and expressed a desire to fix it up. She worries that without ongoing care, the home may continue to be used as a dumping ground. As the cleanup efforts focused on the exterior of the property, questions remain about the condition inside the house and the well-being of Gaon. Residents hope that mental health services will be provided to Gaon to address any underlying issues that may have contributed to the state of the property.
The cleanup of the ‘trash house’ in the Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles marks a significant victory for the community, as years of complaints and concerns have finally been addressed. The removal of hazardous materials and flammable trash has alleviated the public health and safety risks associated with the property. The efforts to clean up the exterior of the residence, while Gaon’s whereabouts remain unknown, have drawn attention to the need for mental health services and support for individuals like Gaon who may be struggling with mental health issues. Moving forward, residents hope that the property can be restored and maintained to prevent it from once again becoming a dumping ground for trash.
