Pacoima Businesses Voice Safety Concerns Over RV Encampments

Local business owners say growing RV encampments are driving away customers and creating an unsafe environment.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:21am

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a pile of discarded trash, broken furniture, and tangled electrical cords on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the unsafe and unsanitary conditions described in the story about RV encampments disrupting local businesses in Pacoima, Los Angeles.Discarded debris and makeshift power sources from the RV encampments on Montague Street highlight the deteriorating conditions that are driving away customers and threatening local businesses.Los Angeles Today

Business owners along Montague Street in Pacoima, Los Angeles are voicing safety concerns over a growing number of RV encampments that have taken over the area, leading to issues with trash, human waste, aggressive dogs, and a general unsafe environment that is driving away customers. Despite repeated outreach to the local city councilmember's office, the business owners say the situation has only worsened over the past two years with no lasting solutions from the city.

Why it matters

The RV encampments in Pacoima's commercial district are threatening the viability of local businesses, many of which have operated in the area for decades. As customers avoid the unsafe conditions, businesses are at risk of shutting down, which could have broader economic impacts on the community. The situation also highlights ongoing challenges around homelessness and the city's response to address quality of life issues for both unhoused individuals and local businesses.

The details

Business owners like Adom Stauber and Andy Rauda describe the Montague Street area as the "Skid Row of the Valley" due to the growing number of RV encampments that have taken over the sidewalks and streets. The RVs have brought with them piles of trash, human waste, aggressive dogs, and sometimes hostile individuals, creating an unsafe environment that is driving away customers. One tenant paying $80,000 a month for warehouse space is now leaving because clients don't want to visit. The business owners say they have repeatedly contacted the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who represents the district, but feel nothing has changed despite the city's claims of moving people out of 22 RVs and sending additional cleaning crews.

  • Over the past two years, the conditions on Montague Street have deteriorated dramatically.
  • Adom Stauber has owned a commercial building on the street for more than three decades.

The players

Adom Stauber

A commercial building owner on Montague Street who has operated in the area for more than three decades.

Andy Rauda

The owner of an electronic plating company on Montague Street.

Israel Gamburd

The operator of a medical device business on Montague Street.

Monica Rodriguez

The Los Angeles City Councilmember who represents the Pacoima district.

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What they’re saying

“The garbage, the feces -- it's just an ongoing issue that continues and is not being corrected.”

— Adom Stauber, Commercial building owner

“We deal with a lot of aerospace companies, and their first question is, 'What's going on outside?'”

— Andy Rauda, Electronic plating company owner

“The homeless people have more rights than we do. If we park our car outside, we get cited. They don't get cited.”

— Israel Gamburd, Medical device business operator

“That's contrary to the actual work of what we've delivered in that area.”

— Monica Rodriguez, Los Angeles City Councilmember

What’s next

Councilmember Rodriguez said her office has helped move 67 people out of 22 RVs along the Montague Street corridor, and the city sends additional cleaning crews regularly. However, business owners argue the cleanups do not last, and they hope continued attention will finally bring lasting change to the street.

The takeaway

The growing RV encampments in Pacoima's commercial district are creating an unsafe environment that is threatening the viability of local businesses. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges around homelessness and the need for more effective, long-term solutions from city officials to address the concerns of both unhoused individuals and the business community.