The document discusses why the community of Pacoima, California remains neglected and dirty despite being hardworking and family-oriented. It suggests that a lack of city services, code enforcement, and community participation have allowed issues to persist. Religious organizations holding frequent fundraisers on their properties is also questioned. Improved expectations of government representatives and more residents actively reporting issues could help Pacoima become a cleaner, better place to live.

1. Is Pacoima ghetto by design?
Pacoima is a highly (not everyone) socio-economic disadvantaged, hard working and
family oriented community that deserves a better place to live, better jobs, better
schools and a safer environment for their youth but, many wonder why Pacoima
remains a dirty and neglected community.
The easy to identify reasons are the fact that we have little to no street services,
virtually none existing code enforcement, selective use of parking enforcement, ignored
or un-enforced City ordinances and Municipal codes. In short, inadequate public
services.
Take the San Fernando Gardens for example; their residents are already being subside
with housing many of them (if not all) are also getting other public services yet, any
weekend you can drive by and see so many yards sales, it looks like a regular weekend
swap-meet. Isn’t there any City ordinance, Housing regulations or municipal codes
being ignored by everyone?
Van Nuys Blvd has become the “highway to heaven” with all the churches and temples
now open and, while religion is always good for everyone, all those churches are now
fund raising on a regular basis by having food and yard sales on their front sidewalks
and some even car washes on their parking lots. Why is this acceptable?
The other reason, not hard to identify but hard to admit, is the lack of community
pride and participation; it really does not take a lot of effort to pick up the phone and call
the City departments or elected officials to report troubled areas. 311 will connect you
to any City department or public office (within the City of L.A.)
Will they listen to your request for service? Maybe not! Will you blame them? Maybe not!
Pacoima has become so use to accepting their “no resources or lack of money”
response, this allowing them to continue ignoring the problems. But, not everything is a
lost; this relationship has allowed many nonprofits and service providers in Pacoima to
get public funding for their services (or payroll). Most nonprofits (like elected officials)
will tell you that there are requirements to be met, their resources are limited and, it will
take longer time for them to accomplish their goals; when they are mostly working on
securing their next year’s funding.
Did you know that many nonprofits and service provider would not be funded or even
exist if Pacoima became a clean and better community?
Pacoima does not need more service providers, nonprofits or better residents to be a
better community; Pacoima needs are higher expectations from those who represent us
in government and a more active participation from those who care about Pacoima.
Call 311 and report your concern. “The more people calling the harder it will
be to ignore the problem”