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ICE Arrests Man at Northridge Church

ICE Arrests Man at Northridge Church

Church officials and members of North Hills United Methodist Church are accusing ICE agents of using heavily armed men to enter church grounds and arrest a “beloved” church member.

Pastor Ervin Aguilon said Carlos Chavez was taken in the parking lot during a food ministry. He criticized ICE agents for apprehending Chavez in front of children and other churchgoers. “For me, that is not just a parking lot,” Aguilon said. “They did not enter through a parking lot, they entered a ground that I believe is holy.”

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that Chavez was an unathorized immigrant who was removed from the United States in 2016, and “U.S. Border Patrol did not target United Methodist Church or its parking lot.” She claims that Chavez was spotted at Sepulveda and Rayen and then ran from the agents who gave chase.  

Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Resident Bishop of the Los Angeles United Methodist Church, said, “Our safety has been violated inside our sacred space. They came in and terrorized a community of faith.”

It is unknown at this time where Chavez is being held and on what charges.

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n response to the presentation to the Woodland Hills Homeowner’s Organization (WHHO) by Councilmember Blumenfield’s Legislative Director Jeff Jacobberger on July 22, 2026, regarding the Reimagine Ventura status. While we appreciate the minimalist presentation regarding the updated status of the center medians, we would appreciate an update regarding the Reimagine Project as a whole including what’s been achieved to date, the project schedule, budget, current expected and desired scope, and the design and community outreach process. The WHHO offers the following comments to the plan and further input by meeting with any involved City representatives as deemed appropriate. PROJECT SCHEDULE What is the schedule for implementation of the remaining scope of work? This project was initiated in 2014. It’s time to finish it. What is realistic? PROJECT BUDGET A budget of over $3 million taxpayer dollars was allocated for the project. It also has been mentioned that a majority of the budget would be allocated to ADA improvements, triggered by certain implementations. I would suggest that a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) consultant be brought in to determine which improvements can be made without triggering ADA issues. Improvements such as the medians, the landscape bump outs and replanting street trees in the existing wells may be possibilities. Additional funding for “improvements” may be available from the 523 Fund since improvements connected to safety and traffic control are justified by the fund. Work categorized as “maintenance” cannot be covered by the fund. Medians and physical barriers that prevent turning and improper entering of the reverse diagonal parking are important safety mitigation measures, not maintenance. The allocation of 523 funds is justified for the bump outs as it significantly improves safety by reducing distances pedestrians must cross in high traffic vehicular pathways like Ventura Boulevard. MONUMENT SIGNS The monument sign renderings, as presented by Mr. Jacobberger, are designed such that they will aesthetically become dated very quickly, and frankly are considered unattractive by many in this organization. We suggest the goal should be for a design concept that reflects quiet elegance, with material of a more permanent nature such as stone or concrete. The requirements for breakaway designs can be mitigated simply by better placement of the signs. WELCOME TO WOODLAND HILLS SIGN A “Welcome to Woodland Hills” type sign should be located close to the area’s borders. A well thought out placement on the east side should be on the Corbin median but placed much further back (midway of the length) to minimize potential vehicle interaction. On the west side of Woodland Hills, placement near the Valley Circle/Mulholland Dr./101 freeway interchange would greet those from the beach communities, the Ventura freeway and Calabasas. MEDIANS The two medians proposed make sense with 2 large scale trees placed 30’ apart on each median. If other planting is also proposed, a maintenance plan needs to be included. Irrigation of the planting needs to consider the water source and costs. If only trees are included, then the contract for watering them can be included in the contract for the watering of the other new street trees. The species should be prudently selected and should be of a size that will not obstruct the roadway during the tree’s lifetime but still provide shade and be visually appealing. Additional opportunities for median locations should be considered. ENHANCED CROSS WALKS Enhanced crosswalks were omitted from the last presentation. The crosswalks would add a strong presence on the boulevard and would help define the updated character. By connecting to the existing ADA curb ramps recently installed on each side of the street, the issue of triggering additional ADA requirements should not occur. The crosswalks should be in as many places as possible, especially where the new traffic light controlled (smart) crosswalk and also the new traffic control light was installed as part of Phase 1. Enhanced crosswalks at the limits of the Reimagine project (each side) would help de-mark the area. LANDSCAPED BUMP OUTS Landscape bump outs have been mentioned many times as being included in the plan for improvements. The new diagonal parking creates many opportunities for inclusion of this improvement. Unfortunately, there are areas where disabled access curb ramps were added by the City already. There may be ways to add the landscape areas around the street level paths beyond the curb ramps. Truncated domes installed on the street level path at the point of vehicular traffic would be a logical work around. EXPANDED PROJECT LIMITS Recently an affordable housing project west of the Reimagine borders was constructed with extremely limited on-site parking. Such planning, albeit extraordinarily shortsighted, will negatively impact the adjoining private properties such as the bowling facility. The extension of the Reimagine concept will mitigate some of the damage that the housing project will cause by adding additional public parking along Ventura Boulevard to the west. Additional diagonal parking in that area is most important, but the improvements associated with the beautification phase of the Reimagine project should also be included. For instance, a planted median, given the width of the street and the need to control left hand turns into any newly added diagonal parking in that area. As the Reimagine project extends west and gets closer to the Woodland Hills boundary, the opportunity for “Welcome to Woodland Hills” signage on that side of our community becomes more appropriate. DRIVEWAY IMPROVEMENTS TO MEET ADA REQUIREMENTS As previously stated, this issue can be dealt with in the following ways: 1. Continue the project as planned. Allocation of the ADA improvements will take up a major portion of the project budget, diminishing the amount of the other important improvements to the area that were anticipated. The ADA improvements wouldn’t even be noticed. Sidewalk paving enhancements, art, street furniture, humanly scaled street lighting, the planted medians and bump outs, new street trees, appropriate monument signs, and enhanced crosswalks have all been included in images presented to the community on multiple occasions. Compromises to the elements that were presented as included require further communication with the community. 2. Continue the project as planned. Acquire increases in the project budget through pursuit of additional sources such as the 523 Fund. 3. Revise the project definition and carefully select improvements that would not trigger ADA improvements. SIDEWALK STREET TREES Simply replacing existing street trees and planting trees in empty tree wells has occurred in other areas along the Boulevard. This is a simple improvement in which community participation can be sought and minimally affordable tree watering contracts can be contracted out by the City. Tree species should be selected with input from the Urban Forestry Division of the Bureau of Street Services. The issue of retailers illegally cutting the trees down because the trees are blocking their signage must be considered. Perhaps smarter tree species selection or larger trees at the time of planting would mitigate this issue. SIDEWALK PAVING ENHANCEMENTS The options are as follows: 1. Continue the project as planned. Although enhancing the sidewalk paving has been implied in community presentations, no real specifics have been offered. Given the budget issues and the lack of specific designs presented, the impression is that this improvement isn’t really included in the plans. 2. Include selected areas of enhanced paving to minimize cost and provide emphasis at intersections and/or crosswalk terminations. Additionally, repair broken curbs, power wash the existing sidewalks, repair cracked or lifted concrete, etc. CONCLUSION To date, the presentations for the Phase II portion of Reimagine Ventura Boulevard (Beautification) have been vague and fragmented. In January of 2025, one of the well-attended community workshops was held at the Woodland Hills Library and stakeholder input was provided. There was no response to the input gathered at that meeting and communication stopped until the presentation at WHHO on July 22, 2026. The WHHO presentation was limited to showing two monument signs and two planted medians. No response to the stakeholder comments or the larger scope items previously shown to the community were mentioned (except the required ADA improvements.) A budget of over 3 million taxpayer dollars was still reiterated at the WHHO meeting, however. Communications by the council office to the community often mention projects to be completed in Canoga Park and Reseda before the Councilmember’s term is up. In recent times the Reimagine Ventura Boulevard or Woodland Hills is not mentioned. The reimagine project seems to be something of an afterthought in the daily efforts of the City. Twelve years have passed since the community initiated the project and the city began its efforts. As such, local businesses and community leaders consider this project a typical boondoggle and waste of everyone’s valuable time and effort. As a going away gift to the community, we strongly feel that Councilman Blumenfield should actually finish this project in a timely and cohesive manner. Phase I was a success but was only part of the anticipated result. A concise, clear plan illustrating overall intent, budget and schedule is required. If this project or any part of it that was presented is being shelved, the business community and residents need to know. The potential for great improvements to the Boulevard, however, still exist and the need is still there. Submitted: Dennis DiBiase, VP WHHO Scott Silverstein, Board WHHO John Walker, President WHHO

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