Once glamorous mansions owned by film producer John Powers Middleton have now become California's latest art installations, showcasing graffiti, squatters, and a lien from the taxman, much to the locals' dismay.

The two California properties, which were once the pride of the neighborhood, have transformed into graffiti-laden hazards and illegal squatter hot spots, prompting local councilmember Nithya Raman to label Middleton's neglect an egregious violation of property law. With police visits becoming as frequent as unwanted visitors, and one mansion even gaining an ‘armed squatter’ history, residents are left wondering if they should invest in paint or a security system—if only to reclaim their community from this unintended performance art.

The properties, located in the once-esteemed Sunset Plaza area, used to boast prominent features, including multiple swimming pools that sparkled under the Californian sun. Now, however, these pools are likely less appealing than a kiddie pool in a back alley, as the mansions attract unwanted attention from a cadre of creatives—vandalism artists at work. After one of the homes received a rather generous coat of paint, it was promptly re-tagged, suggesting that perhaps the local taggers had an unspoken competition to see who could outdo the last.

Over the years, residents have noted a worrying spike in safety issues tied to the properties. Armed squatter incidents have not been simply colorful anecdotal tales but rather alarming realities, as evidenced by the arrest of one particularly brazen occupant in January 2022. With reports of various violent incidents leaving residents on edge, the once-coveted neighborhood of Sunset Plaza now resembles a scene out of a dystopian novel, potentially one that even Mr. Middleton would find challenging to produce.

In response to these escalating concerns, Councilmember Nithya Raman firmly expressed frustration over Middleton's apparent nonchalance. 'This is simply unacceptable,' she remarked. With legal language that could put a twist even the finest Hollywood scripts would envy, her statement highlights both the severity of the violations and the discontent of the constituents. One asks: in a place known for glitz and glam, how did we end up with a home makeover show gone awry?

A lien has also mysteriously appeared on Middleton's properties, likely a note from the taxman that sums up the situation neatly: disregard for one’s financial obligations does not come without consequences. The absence of tax payments has put a rude exclamation point on Middleton’s lack of initiative regarding the upkeep of his once-cherished mansions. Perhaps his penchant for greatness hasn’t extended to real estate—unless he is considering creating a horror movie screenplay instead.

What remains of these formerly pristine homes is often described by neighbors as a proverbial eyesore. Complaints about the unsightly conditions have escalated, as people wrestle internally with the question: how does one go from the owner of lavish estates to an accidental lord of dilapidation? When a neighborhood begins to feel like the set of a poorly reviewed horror flick, it may very well be time for the main character to step in and right the ship.

As police lights flash in the distance, locals undoubtedly search for a silver lining behind the chaos. Will John Powers Middleton address the egregious violations related to his properties? As the narrative unfolds, we can only sit back and appreciate the muted irony: even amidst chaos, creativity is uniquely thriving, albeit at the expense of Middleton’s real estate dreams. Stay tuned.