Arson Fires at White Point Preserve
A series of suspected arson fires have been reported along the San Pedro coastline in the past month, prompting a town hall meeting that was held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, at the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St.
Dedicated in 2000, the 102-acre White Point Nature Preserve at 1600 W. Paseo del Mar in San Pedro has been hit with several suspicious fires, and the destruction of the park restrooms since mid-December.
Information regarding meetings that were held.
Hi all.Just an interim message as we await the promised response (hopefully, in the next week or two) from Councilman Tim McOsker, LAPD, LAFD, and the PVP Land Conservancy, concerning action plans to address the arson fires and two-wheel vehicle violations in the W. P. Preserve.Although a bit less intense, the fire situation in the WP Preserve reportedly continues. Last holiday weekend, in the southeast corner area (where Paseo Del Mar collapsed several years ago), unknown people were seen setting fires between the hours of 3am and 5am. Also, last Monday some charred wooden 2x4s were found on the path between the eastern preserve entrance from Paseo and the parking lot.It’s unknown if these events were called into PD or FD. It’s important to report anything like this that you see. If no calls take place, the assumption is made that nothing is happening. We then lose our momentum to address this potential danger. Please call.
LIFE THREATENING
CALL:911
Main Phone
LAPD Harbor Station
2175 John S. Gibson Blvd.San Pedro, CA 90731
310-726-7700 then press 6
LAPD Lead Officer
Melody Shortle
213-361-5963
LA Fire Dept – San Pedro
1414 w 25th Street
310-548-7501
Also last week, and unrelated to the preserve fires, a garage at 37th and Barbara (across from the Corner Store shops) caught fire from a vehicle problem. I was, coincidentally, working across the street as intense, gray white smoke added to the already messy local air quality and three firetrucks rolled up to extinguish the flames. Several neighbors, already on-edge and understandably concerned, remarked how fortunate we were that this event was quickly controlled and we avoided any larger problem.
One of the responders to this fire was LAFD Assistant Chief Carlos Calvillo. Chief Calvillo was a presenter at both of our neighborhood meetings in the past few weeks – January 6, at the Grand Annex, and January 14, at the Cabrillo Aquarium.
Once the fire was knocked down, the Chief remarked what a tight-knit, responsive community our part of San Pedro is. He said the FD was currently in discussions concerning community outreach and the need for neighborhoods to have emergency plans in place. He suggested that we could be an early participant in the proposed FD outreach program since we already had a participating, organized group and a communication list. (We’ll have more info about this as it becomes available.)
Two initial, specific items the Chief suggested: Know how to turn off the gas and water lines into your house. He said fighting the fires up north last week was made more difficult from lines left open when people evacuated. As the buildings were destroyed, the escaping gas added to the flames and the water flowing out diminished the already low pressure. Great tips from the Chief.
Thanks to all of you for your concern and action in helping our community remain a safe and terrific place to live.
Cheers-
Michael Herzmark
Neighborhood Volunteer
