Judge ponders closure of troubled trailer park

Tuesday, January 15, 2008  

A federal judge on Monday said he would close down a troubled trailer park on the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Reservation in California unless an improvement plan was submitted by January 28.

Judge Stephen Larson said he was worried about living conditions at the Desert Mobile Home Park, also known as Duroville. But he said he was concerned that the estimated 6,000 tenants -- mostly low-income Hispanic and Indian farmworkers -- wouldn't have a place to go if the facility is shut down.

Harvey Duro, a tribal council member, owns the trailer park. He has said he is making improvements but Larson issued a harsh warning yesterday.

"If I get the feeling that this is not going to happen, I'm going to close the place down. I'll send out federal marshals, and that will be it," Larson said, The Los Angeles Times reported. "The gamesmanship is over. The shell game is over."

Get the Story:
U.S. judge says he may shut Duroville down (The Los Angeles Times 1/15)
pwday
Judge issues ultimatum to 'Duroville' (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 1/15)
Duroville Decision Postponed Until Jan. 28 (KESQ 1/14)

Relevant Links:
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians - http://www.torresmartinez.org

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