To: The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), Local Law Enforcement, and Community Stakeholders
We, the undersigned residents of Sterling of West Hills, call for the immediate closure of public hiking trail access points on Sterling Ranch Road (in front of the private community park) — PERMANENTLY.
Why This Matters
Our community has always valued safety, peace, and respect for nature. Unfortunately, the trail access through our residential streets has brought repeated and escalating problems:
- 10+ break-ins or attempted break-ins within the past 36 months.
- Suspicious surveillance cameras with mobile connections recently found hidden in bushes and trees, apparently used to monitor our neighborhood.
- Ongoing concerns about vandalism, graffiti, loitering, and trespassing.
- Risk of man-made wildfires from smokers, loiters, or careless trail users — a grave concern since our community has already faced two devastating wildfires in just the past seven years.
- Insufficient law enforcement support to effectively respond to these risks, despite our community already funding private security patrols.
The reality is simple: a hiking trail that runs through our community creates easy access for those who would exploit it for unlawful or dangerous purposes. The burden of this risk falls directly on residents—the taxpayers who live here—not on distant trail users.
Our Position
We fully support hiking, nature access, and conservation. However, there are ample alternative trailheads, such as Woolsey Canyon, that allow genuine hikers to enjoy the same routes without compromising residential safety.
Our taxpayer contributions to MRCA should protect our needs first and foremost. Residents deserve to live free from burglary, surveillance, wildfire threats, and vandalism. Trail access must not come at the expense of community safety.
Our Requests
- Immediate suspension of public trail access through our neighborhood and keep the access gate shut permanently.
- Formal review of legal agreements that allegedly grant public access through Tract No. 52866-01, including whether such agreements are valid against the interests of today’s homeowners.
- Prioritization of taxpayer safety: No new access points, gates, or trail openings via our comunity should be created.
Conclusion
We are not opposed to hiking or outdoor recreation. We are opposed to unsafe and unfair arrangements that make our homes vulnerable while safer alternative access points already exist.
Enough is enough. We call on MRCA, legal counsel, and local authorities to act decisively in protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of the residents who fund and live in this community.
Sign this petition to demand action and to stand with your neighbors in protecting Sterling of West Hills.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
October 6, 2025
29 Comments
This public access point is a major liability for our homes. Between the trash left behind and the constant fear of fire we really need this closed for good. Address is 24155 Sterling Ranch Rd.
I am a resident in the community. My address is 24164 Sterling ranch road West hills CA-91304
We are residents of this community and would like to close public access to our community. We have had too many burglaries amongst other issues Address is 24034 Schoenborn St.
Our neighborhood almost daily faces break ins, robberies, suspicious surveillance by strangers with cameras, fire risk issues by homeless camping in the mountain areas, graffiti on common areas just to name a few. This is causing home owners extra money to find our own security measures and to repair damages since LAPD is not responsive. We need all trail access closed to public for the safety of our community.
I live in the Sterling neighborhood and am personally affected by the risks and dangers posed by this public hiking access
8250 North Clear Sky Way
24352 West Stone Bend Lane, West Hills, CA 91304
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To: The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), Local Law Enforcement, and Community Stakeholders
We, the undersigned residents of Sterling of West Hills, call for the immediate closure of public hiking trail access points on Sterling Ranch Road (in front of the private community park) — PERMANENTLY.
Why This Matters
Our community has always valued safety, peace, and respect for nature. Unfortunately, the trail access through our residential streets has brought repeated and escalating problems:
- 10+ break-ins or attempted break-ins within the past 36 months.
- Suspicious surveillance cameras with mobile connections recently found hidden in bushes and trees, apparently used to monitor our neighborhood.
- Ongoing concerns about vandalism, graffiti, loitering, and trespassing.
- Risk of man-made wildfires from smokers, loiters, or careless trail users — a grave concern since our community has already faced two devastating wildfires in just the past seven years.
- Insufficient law enforcement support to effectively respond to these risks, despite our community already funding private security patrols.
The reality is simple: a hiking trail that runs through our community creates easy access for those who would exploit it for unlawful or dangerous purposes. The burden of this risk falls directly on residents—the taxpayers who live here—not on distant trail users.
Our Position
We fully support hiking, nature access, and conservation. However, there are ample alternative trailheads, such as Woolsey Canyon, that allow genuine hikers to enjoy the same routes without compromising residential safety.
Our taxpayer contributions to MRCA should protect our needs first and foremost. Residents deserve to live free from burglary, surveillance, wildfire threats, and vandalism. Trail access must not come at the expense of community safety.
Our Requests
- Immediate suspension of public trail access through our neighborhood and keep the access gate shut permanently.
- Formal review of legal agreements that allegedly grant public access through Tract No. 52866-01, including whether such agreements are valid against the interests of today’s homeowners.
- Prioritization of taxpayer safety: No new access points, gates, or trail openings via our comunity should be created.
Conclusion
We are not opposed to hiking or outdoor recreation. We are opposed to unsafe and unfair arrangements that make our homes vulnerable while safer alternative access points already exist.
Enough is enough. We call on MRCA, legal counsel, and local authorities to act decisively in protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of the residents who fund and live in this community.
Sign this petition to demand action and to stand with your neighbors in protecting Sterling of West Hills.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
October 6, 2025
29 Comments
My family has lived here for years and we are tired of strangers looking into our windows. Enough is enough. We want our privacy and safety back.
This public access point is a major liability for our homes. Between the trash left behind and the constant fear of fire we really need this closed for good. Address is 24155 Sterling Ranch Rd.
I am a resident in the community. My address is 24164 Sterling ranch road West hills CA-91304
We are residents of this community and would like to close public access to our community. We have had too many burglaries amongst other issues Address is 24034 Schoenborn St.
Our neighborhood almost daily faces break ins, robberies, suspicious surveillance by strangers with cameras, fire risk issues by homeless camping in the mountain areas, graffiti on common areas just to name a few. This is causing home owners extra money to find our own security measures and to repair damages since LAPD is not responsive. We need all trail access closed to public for the safety of our community.
I live in the Sterling neighborhood and am personally affected by the risks and dangers posed by this public hiking access
8250 North Clear Sky Way
24352 West Stone Bend Lane, West Hills, CA 91304
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My family has lived here for years and we are tired of strangers looking into our windows. Enough is enough. We want our privacy and safety back.