Longwood Highlands residents are rallying support for an elderly African American neighbor who was attacked in two different home invasions. LAPD officials say the state of the house has attracted vagrants who were attempting to take over the home.
Longwood Area Neighborhood Association President Daphne Brogdon told the Buzz about the efforts to raise funds organized by Jen Stein, a local realtor and nearby neighbor of the victim. Stein, who has helped her neighbor in the past, told us he is an extremely private person and recent events have been very traumatic so we are not publishing his name to protect his privacy. According to Stein, her neighbor is an artist and has lived in the neighborhood for decades. But tragically, injuries from the second attack have caused him to lose the the sight in one eye and now he cannot do his art anymore which has been devastating to him.
Realizing the enormity of the work needed to repair the house, Stein told us she set up a Go Fund Me campaign and seeded it with an initial contribution. Soon, LAPD officers stepped up to help with donations and repairs, including Officer James Mankey. The campaign really took off after Wilshire Division Captain Shannon Paulson publishing an appeal in her May 23 newsletter, Donations increased from $400 to nearly $4,000 dollars. However, Stein worries the goal of $15,000 may not be enough to cover the extensive repairs required to bring the house to a safe habitable condition. But she’s thankful for the out pouring to support for her neighbor. The campaign has also attracted support for neighbors outside the area too.
“Longwood Highlands is a historically black neighborhood and over the last several years a lot of the older residents have cashed out on rising values and gone elsewhere changing the neighborhood and causing involved people like me to worry we are losing our community spirit,” Brogdon told the Buzz. “Well, this is a good community story as neighbors rally around and great LAPD story as well. LANA has long had a good relationship with Wilshire Division, but LAPD’s effort for our neighbor has been extraordinary and what we would all like a 21st century police force to be.”
Brogdon also wanted to acknowledge neighbor Jeff Van Hoy who she said. “has physically done more than anyone save the LAPD. He has done carpentry to fix broken fences and locks. He’s a neighbor who walks over with his tools and kindness to help.”
Wilshire Division Captain Shannon Paulson wrote the following in her May 23 newsletter:
“Some of you may recall several newsletters ago I wrote about an elderly gentleman here in Wilshire Division who had been the victim of a vicious home invasion robbery. While hospitalized for injuries stemming from that attack (which resulted in a partial loss of his vision) and other medical issues, he was victimized once again as his home was burglarized.
Several officers from Wilshire Division are currently working with other concerned and compassionate neighbors to attempt to conduct repairs on his residence so it is more secure and well maintained. Over the years, due to his medical issues, this man’s residence had fallen into disrepair. The state of the property likely contributes to it being targeted from criminal conduct.
While my officers have already committed considerable personal time to tackle some labor intensive improvements (yard clean up, etc.) there are other issues that will require more professional services. These include some roof repairs and electrical and plumbing work, as well as the replacement of yard fencing.
The officers also hope to install some appropriate exterior motion activated lighting.
A concerned neighbor has started a Go Fund Me account to offset the cost of these needed repairs. Below is the hyperlink to the Go Fund Me account, and a later page in this newsletter contains a screen shot of the fund status as of May 23, 2021. Every little bit helps.
https://gofund.me/da014a0f‘,” wrote Captain Shannon Paulson.
All donations are welcome. Visit the Go Fund Me page for more information.
Thank You Patty! Your Buzz holds us together