Peter Ridder, a resident of Fisherman’s Retreat, said people are going to be homeless if the power is shut offCredit: KABC

The owner of Fisherman’s Retreat allegedly has not paid the electric bill in over a yearCredit: KABC

Residents were warned their power would be turned off beyond their controlCredit: KABC

The electric company, Southern California Edison, sent notices to residents that their power would be shut off on June 18 if there was no resolution.

A resident called SoCal Edison’s customer service and was told the owner’s “active debt that’s past due right now is $687,000 that they haven’t paid,” ABC affiliate KABC reported.

The mobile home park is a permanent residence for around 100 and 200 people – plus occasional weekend campers and vacationers.

Residents will be left with no power in their homes and there is nothing they can do as it is up to the owner to resolve.

LONG-STANDING ISSUE

The electric company has been working to receive payment from the park for months.

It shut off power in late 2023 due to failed electric payments.

Luckily, SoCal Edison decided to turn the power back on as it continued to work out issues with the owner.

“We understand this situation may be difficult,” SoCal Edison spokesperson Reggie Kumar told KABC.

“We’ve kept the power on as we have worked to find a solution with Halo Resorts.

“Our efforts so far have not been successful. We continue to work with them to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”

Residents were given a similar explanation in the notices of how SoCal Edison has tried to be patient with the owner but has still not been paid for months.

The notices read, “Southern California Edison has been working with Halo Resorts, the owners of Oak Glen Retreat and Fisherman’s Retreat, to obtain payment on past due and current electricity charges,” per KABC.

“These efforts have been unsuccessful.

“As a result, power to the entire resort will be disconnected on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024.”

SELFISH

Peter Ridder, a resident of Fisherman’s Retreat who has lived there for years explained many people live at the park because it’s what they can afford.

If the power shuts off, this will leave many people with nowhere to go.

“Most of us up here are just going to be homeless is what it’s going to boil down to,” Ridder told KABC.

“Most of the people here are here because they can’t afford to be anywhere else, and it’s a decent place to live.”

As the conversation shifted towards community matters Ridder added, “I know most of the residents up here, everyone’s paying their bills.

“It’s selfish people who don’t know how to run a business.”