Jordan Downs to Get Police Substation

WATTS — A police substation is set to open in a townhouse at the Jordan Downs housing project, where five sleeping family members died in a September, 1991, arson fire, authorities said.

“We’re welcoming it. We think that’s the way to go,” said Howard Wasserman, manager of the 700-unit, 2,500-resident complex. Workers remodeling the townhouse were expected to have finished on Friday, he said.

At least one officer will staff the substation during daytime hours on weekdays and could be on duty as early as this week, said Sgt. J. D. Allen of the LAPD’s Southeast Division.

Police said the substation will deter the type of criminal activity that led to the fatal fire. Officials allege that local drug dealers contracted the arsonists to set the blaze because family members living in the townhouse had become too vocal in opposing drug use.

The fire killed Martha Zuniga, 22, her three children, Juan, 5, and Claudia, 4, Veronica Lopez, 1, and their great-grandmother, Margarita Hernandez, 78.

Three men were charged last July with first-degree murder in connection with the blaze and are awaiting trial.