Homeless encampment cleared from Westlake post office lot

A homeless encampment that blocked off parts of a post office lot with tents, makeshift houses, mattresses, bulky items and piles of belongings was cleared after complaints from residents.

Residents told NBCLA that they contacted the city about the lot west of downtown Los Angeles near West 7th Street and Burlington Avenue. Some of the items, including piles of trash, blocked parking spaces and nearby storefronts.

“I’m worried customers will feel too unsafe to come to my shop,” Lucrecia Ramirez, a salon owner across the street from the post office, told NBCLA last week.

It was not immediately clear which agency cleared the encampment. Last week, the post office said it was aware of the problem and looking for solution, officials said in a statement.

“We would like to partner with local law enforcement, city, county, congressional personnel and USPS authorities to find viable solutions to this growing concern,” post office officials told NBCLA in a statement.

Mayor Karen Bass’ office called the situation “acceptable.”

“She will be working with the councilperson for this district to come up with a solution and that an outreach team has already visited,” the mayor’s office told NBCLA.