Two people working to dismantle a long-disputed billboard at the main entryway into San Pedro were injured on July 18 when a crane toppled over.
The accident was reported around 11:30 a.m. near Gaffey Street and the Harbor 110 Freeway, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A search-and-rescue team was initially dispatched to the scene, with first responders concerned people may have been trapped in the crane. Crews on the scene quickly determined nobody was trapped, but two workers at the scene had fallen about 20 feet when the crane collapsed, according to the fire department.
The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn wrote on her Twitter page that the workers were dismantling the disputed billboard.
“Praying that both workers who were injured will be OK,” Ms. Hahn wrote.
Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker, who represents the San Pedro area, announced on July 17 that crews had begun taking down the billboard and support structure, which had been under dispute for several months and the subject of a removal effort dating back several years.
In 2015, the city authorized the acquisition of the property in an effort to improve visibility, safety, and public access to the San Pedro community by removing the billboard structure.
But Outdoor Regency Advertising leased the space on the property for a large billboard until 2022. At the end of 2022, when the lease expired, the billboard continued to be used for advertising purposes.
The company had continuously rejected the city’s demands to remove the billboard and billboard structures, according to Mr. McOsker’s office.
City officials sent a letter on Dec. 28, 2022, requesting plans by Jan. 15 for the removal of the billboard, which the company did not respond to, according to Mr. McOsker.
In February, the city served Regency Outdoor Advertising with an unlawful detainer lawsuit for failing to take down the billboard and vacate the property. Despite the city’s efforts, the company continued to advertise on this billboard, even placing an ad the week they were sued, and two months after the lease contract expired, according to Mr. McOsker’s office.
