The Brief Residents along Hope Street say they are seeing some progress after fires damaged vacant buildings, but concerns about security and crime remain. Metal barriers and a police surveillance tower have been added, but residents say some properties are still not fully secured. Weeks after a string of fires damaged vacant buildings along Hope Street in downtown Los Angeles, residents say they are seeing some progress, but remain concerned about security and crime on the block. Residents say the open properties have contributed to a broader crime problem on the block. Can we bar property owners from any future investment from any future property in the city of Los Angeles?"