Baldwin Park in LA Times, and not for murder
Reporter Tania Chatila already broke this story about Baldwin Park's attempt to rid the city of pay day advance businesses. Today, the LA Times takes a stab at it, but with a broader approach by looking at efforts in the Bay Area and in cities near Army and Navy bases. It also looks at Baldwin Park's report and at least once source criticizes the city for not taking its customers into account.
Lozano, the mayor, said that the businesses charge customers "astronomical rates" and that he had talked to residents who had gotten into far worse debt after dealing with payday loan stores.
But customers are not mentioned in the February report on which the City Council based its vote to place a moratorium on these businesses. The report instead cited the potential for the businesses to harm the city through "a negative image, increased crime and visual impacts."
"Within the past 10 years, the City of Baldwin Park has made it a priority to improve its image," the report stated.
One customer suggested that Baldwin Park focus its efforts elsewhere.
"By a hair I almost caught the guy," he told the employees, who nodded sympathetically.He said he thinks Baldwin Park has larger problems than check-cashing and payday lending business. A few days ago, someone broke into his Chevrolet Suburban.
That sounds like the Baldwin Park I know.