Owner of Junk-Filled Property Issued Warrant

Mary Ferrera, the owner of a problematic property in Sun Valley, has been issued a bench warrant after failing to appear in court regarding multiple city code violations. The property, which has been under scrutiny for nearly five years, is littered with junk, debris, and abandoned vehicles, and is reported to have lead-contaminated soil. The situation escalated when the Los Angeles County Fire Department sought assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to the hazardous conditions present on the nearly 10,000-square-foot lot. The city of Los Angeles first became aware of the property in 2019, leading to a case being filed with the Department of Building and Safety. The EPA conducted an investigation and released a report detailing contaminants found on the site. Despite previous legal actions, including a 180-day jail sentence for Ferrera—of which she served only one day—the property remains cluttered and poses risks, particularly as it obstructs a fire road in an area vulnerable to wildfires. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez highlighted the challenges faced by the city, noting that they cannot enter private properties to address these issues. The EPA has attempted to reach an informal agreement with Ferrera to clean the site, but complications have arisen due to her son, who lives there and has been hoarding items since a wildfire affected the area. Authorities continue to express concern over the urgent need for cleanup due to the potential dangers posed by the accumulated debris.