A film producer apologized to his Hollywood Hills neighbors on Friday after vandals covered his abandoned mansions with graffiti.
Owner John Powers Middleton issued the apology in a statement, saying what happened to his homes is unacceptable.
Local residents have been complaining about the homes for years. While Middleton has cleaned up the properties around Mulholland Drive and Sunset Plaza Drive, his neighbors said his apology is far from enough.
“I’m tired of people apologizing,” said one neighbor.
Middleton’s response comes after the city posted eviction notices and placed a lien on his home after he defaulted on property taxes for years.
“I am doing my best to secure and renovate the houses, with the intention of selling them all as quickly as possible,” he wrote. “I am disappointed that despite working to paint over the graffiti this week, vandals have still managed to break in and paint the freshly cleaned walls.”
The Los Angeles Police Department has been arrested two suspects of vandalismone of whom was armed with a gun, Wednesday morning. On Friday, police had an officer patrol the area.
City Councilor Nithya Raman’s office said they have installed 10-foot fences at both properties, removed graffiti and drained the pools.
Neighbors hope their neighborhood will finally return to what it once was.
Jasmine Fell
