City to Study Options to Wilson St. Closure

Despite a Police Department request that the city permanently close Wilson Street at Garden Grove Boulevard, a temporary move that officials say has reduced prostitution and “cruising,” the City Council has agreed to consider alternatives.

Police Officer Tim Kovacs told council members this week that, notwithstanding some neighborhood opposition, the street barriers have succeeded in reducing crime in the area, which has a number of bars and adult bookstores.

The neighborhood extends from Beach Boulevard eastward to Newland Street between Garden Grove Boulevard and the Garden Grove Freeway.

Kovacs said that since the closure there has been a significant reduction in police calls to the area. He estimated that serious crime has dropped by about 35%.

Despite the apparent success of the barricades, residents of streets adjacent to Wilson complained to council members that the closure is inconvenient.

After hours of debate over the closure, council members asked the city’s traffic committee to consider options to a total closure of the street. The issue is to be reconsidered at the council’s June 23 meeting.