Long Beach Business Pleads for Safety Enhancements After Multiple Vehicle Crashes
Emily Yep, the owner of Magnolia & Willow, an antique store in Long Beach, is desperately appealing to the city for improved safety measures after her business has been struck by vehicles three times in just eight months.
“A Catastrophe”
“It was a complete disaster,” says Yep. “Almost everything that was glass or pottery was shattered.”
Yep emphasizes the urgent need for the City of Long Beach to prioritize her business’s safety. She fears for the well-being of her staff and believes it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
Fear for Safety
“The stress and anxiety this has caused me and my family are immeasurable,” says Yep.
Maria Perez, an employee at the store, shares her own concerns. “Each time a vehicle has crashed into the store, we’ve been standing so close to the spot where it happened. We could easily have been injured.”
Yep adds, “How can we feel safe having our children playing nearby? How can I run a business in an environment like this?”
City Response
The city has responded by installing temporary barriers outside the store, but these have proven ineffective. “From a safety standpoint, the improvements need to happen now. I agree,” says Eric Lopez, a City of Long Beach representative.
Lopez acknowledges that the temporary measures are insufficient and states that the city has applied for a million federal grant for safety enhancements. However, the funding has yet to be received.
Yep is frustrated with the city’s apparent lack of action. “It’s unacceptable that my business has been damaged multiple times,” she says.
Video Footage
KTLA has obtained video footage showing a vehicle plowing into the front of Magnolia & Willow on July 4th. Yep believes a child passing by just moments before could have been killed.
Call for Action
Yep is pleading with city officials to take urgent steps to address the dangerous intersection. “How many more times does a vehicle have to crash into my store before they take action?” she asks.
Addressing the Issue
City council members have acknowledged the need for improved safety and have promised to prioritize the issue at the intersection.
LA News Center will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
