Pacoima Business Owners Claim City Cleared Encampment Known as ‘Skid Row Valley’

When you walk down the main street of Pacoima these days, the sight is… different. A cluster of tarps and makeshift shelters that locals had started calling "Skid Row Valley" is gone. The city says it cleared the area, but the business community isn’t convinced everything was handled the right way.

For months, owners of corner stores, bakeries and small offices have been watching the encampment grow, sometimes feeling uneasy, other times feeling a pang of sympathy. "We didn’t know what to do," admits Maria Gonzalez, who runs a family‑owned deli on Sherman Avenue. "One day there were a few tents, the next there were twenty. It was… it was a lot."

According to the owners, the city announced a sweep in early June, promising to provide resources for the people living there. Within hours, crews arrived, carting away belongings, dismantling tents, and sweeping the pavement. By evening, the makeshift village was gone, replaced by a freshly cleaned stretch of concrete.

But the aftermath left many questions. Where did the residents go? Did they receive any assistance? And what about the impact on the street‑level economy?

John Patel, who operates a hardware store two doors down from the former camp, says sales dipped during the weeks the encampment was present. "Some customers felt unsafe, others were just… distracted," he says, shaking his head. "Now the street looks clean, sure, but we still don’t know if those people have somewhere to stay."

City officials maintain that the operation was coordinated with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and that outreach teams were on‑site to offer shelter placements. A spokesperson for the department told reporters, "Our priority was to ensure safety for both the homeless population and the surrounding community, while connecting individuals to permanent services." Yet, as of this writing, no concrete numbers have been released about how many were successfully rehoused.

The phrase "Skid Row Valley" itself—coined by a local journalist covering the encampment—has taken on a life of its own. Some see it as a crude label that dehumanizes a vulnerable group; others argue it captures the stark reality of a hidden crisis in an otherwise bustling neighborhood.

Community groups have stepped in, trying to bridge the gap. A nonprofit called "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" organized a donation drive, gathering blankets, food, and hygiene kits for those displaced. Their leader, Aisha Hernandez, says, "We’re grateful the city acted, but we need a plan that doesn’t just move the problem elsewhere. People need homes, not just a clean street."

Meanwhile, local merchants are pushing for a longer‑term strategy. They’ve drafted a petition asking the city to set up a permanent outreach center nearby, provide regular mental‑health services, and create a transparent reporting system so businesses aren’t left guessing.

In the end, the streets of Pacoima may look tidier, but the conversation about homelessness, public safety, and community responsibility is far from over. As the city’s next steps unfold, business owners hope for clearer communication and, most importantly, a solution that respects both the people who call Pacoima home and those who have nowhere else to turn.