I’d say it is about time (that government officials take a closer look at the number of occupants per dwelling).

Until this tragic (Cochran Street) fire, I was simply unaware that residents in single-family- home neighborhoods, not protected by homeowners associations, are at the mercy of greedy landlords who choose to turn their houses into nothing more than "virtual apartment complexes."

 What is truly amazing is that it does not seem to be a crime to do this. And it is obviously a problem, especially in older neighborhoods where an ever-increasing number of vehicles are parked in driveways, side yards and on every available street space and routine maintenance becomes nonexistent. 

It dramatically affects the safety and property values of homeowners who abide by the true definition of a single-family home and believe that our federal, state and city laws should protect them from this type of property abuse.  

I was at the city council meeting and watched those slides of the obviously flagrant code violations. It would compound this tragedy if no one faces prose-cution and therefore, responsibility, for the death and injuries that resulted from them. 

Although I agree that condemnation of those living in these conditions would be wrong, they simply must share in personal responsibility for exposing themselves and their children to the dangers of this type of overcrowded housing.   

Hopefully, City Manager Mike Sedell will find a legal way to stop this type of property abuse and prevent further tragedies.

Judy McLaughlin

Simi Valley