South L.A. motel alleged to be a gang and drug hub is ordered closed

A judge ordered a South Los Angeles motel to close for one year after its owner failed to meet the terms of an injunction aimed at ending rampant gang and narcotics activity, the city attorney’s office announced Thursday.

The Bronco Motel is expected to be closed in the next 60 days, officials said.

“When we secured an injunction to stop the rampant criminal activity associated with this motel, we expected the owner to comply,” City Atty. Mike Feuer said in a statement. “That’s what the neighborhood deserves. So when the owner failed to follow through, we insisted the property be closed.”

Vaidehi Inc., the owner of the motel in the 5500 block of South Western Avenue, was the subject of a permanent injunction issued last June. Representatives from the company could not be reached for comment.

The injunction requires improvements to the building, including the installation of a secure mechanized gate at the main entrance to control the flow of gang members and drug dealers and buyers, Feuer said.

Superior Court Judge John Doyle found that the motel owners and operators repeatedly violated the terms of the injunction by failing to install a proper gate across the main entry as specified and failing to regulate parking on the property.

Investigators also discovered that one of the motel’s video cameras was disabled in an apparent attempt to hide the business’ noncompliance on the gate.

The 33-room motel, allegedly a hub for gang activity, has been the site of drug sales, gun arrests, a gang-related homicide and a shooting, according to the city attorney’s office.

“This community deserves to be safe,” Feuer said.

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