Photo: Diane Edwardson, March 22, 2009. Lake View Ave. house backs up into Red Car Canyon. (Click on photo to enlarge.)For years, either the homeowners or their gardener tossed yard waste and tree trimmings over the back fence of this Lake View Ave. house, onto the Red Car Property.
UPDATE 5-5-09: The pile of clippings was removed. Unfortunately, the graffiti has not yet been painted over.
This is not only an eyesore, it is a FIRE HAZARD! It is not an acceptable way to dispose of yard waste. That's what the green trash bins are for. It also attracted graffiti vandals, further enhancing the "broken window effect."
LAPD Chief Bratton encourages neighborhoods to fix the "broken windows," like graffiti and dumping that attract further unwelcome uses.
Last year, when the City contracted for massive tree trimming in the overgrown Red Car Canyon, they hauled the pile behind the above house away. The pile has been growing recently, as it looks like the homeowner had the trees trimmed. With the current City budget crisis, I would not expect the City to remove the pile again. 
Photo: Jonathan Vandiveer, March 30, 2009. Even while neatly stacked, the piles of dry brush in Red Car Canyon are a fire hazard.(Click on photo to enlarge.)
Considering the canyon is a prime party spot, every homeowner should take a look over their fence to see how they can make the neighborhood safer. Paint over graffiti and dispose of yard waste properly. Have some respect for your neighbors.
LAFD sent out their guide for brush clearance in hillside neighborhoods. You can also access info on http://www.lafd.org/brush/.
