'CSI Miami' actress loses battle over security gate; she says she fears stalker

 The Glendale City Council Tuesday night voted to require “CSI: Miami” actress Eva La Rue to remove the gate she illegally constructed in front of her home.

Councilman Ara Najarian cast the lone dissenting vote.

The decision concludes weeks of controversy that generated heated debate at City Hall and media and community attention.

La Rue had said she built the gate to guard against an alleged stalker, but neighborhood residents decried the addition, which according to city code was too close to the right-of-way, as blatantly flouting zoning regulations.

Last month, La Rue pleaded with the Glendale City Council to keep the gate. "I am asking please, please to keep my gate. I'm a single mom. I know that this gate can't really protect me from somebody that wants to do me and my 8-year-old harm, but at least it is some sort of barrier."

According to KTLA News, it appears La Rue has moved out of the home and has been staying at an unknown location.

-- Melaine Hicken, Glendale News-Press

More on the story here.

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Comments

[SF is Better]

"I'm a single mom. I know that this gate can't really protect me from somebody that wants to do me and my 8-year-old harm, but at least it is some sort of barrier."

Decoded: "I'm a bit actress on a knockoff series, doesn't that entitle me to do whatever I want like Angelina Jolie."

[tsfelt]

I guess the next story will be about her being attacked in her home by the stalker.....way to go Glendale! Apparently you're more concerned with asthetics and snobby neighbors than you are over safety.

[Paul]

Crazy. She was given a permission and a permit to build it now they pull the rug out. The city who is wasting time on this issue should have to pay for the removal cause they approved it. The real reason is that they want to preserve the 1950 look of the neighborhood for film and TV shoots. Not for aesthetic reasons. She's a very nice person as I know having worked with her. She deserves privacy and solitude just like everybody else besides the fact that she's known. How about all the illegal business fronts going up in Glendale laundering money for thew Armenian mafia? That's what the city of Glendale should be worrying itself with...

[Phillip]

SF is Better Decoded: “I’m a sullen little malcontent who wishes I lived in a world class city like LA.”

[LJohn]

Well, hopefully she will not meet the same fates a Actress Theresa Saldana and Actress Rebecca Schahffer. This is truly a situation where the protection of property value, outweighs the protection and value of life. Her battle has been in the news, aired on local news and printed in numerous papers. Losing her battle and forcing her to remove her gate would as she decreed put her at serious risk. In that event, every member who spoke out against her and her need for safety, as well as every city counsel member who voted on record should be sued for every penny they have, hope to have, and dream of having should evil come knocking at her door. History has shown the willingness of some individuals on two very well documented occasions. Why, why would we forgo those examples and invite such an action for a third time?

[Freedom]

Another strike against freedom. Thanks Glendale city council for showing that riff raff productive citizen who's in charge. That gate looked so horrible too.

Showed her!

The micromanagers at the Glendale city council are showing their true colors with every decision they make.

[DANA]

She needs to find a home w/ better security and better neighbors. Or she should have gone to the city council or her HOA first.

[single mom]

she should have been able to keep that gate or bring it up to code. there are super crazies out there and there is no protection from them. this gate would at least prevent this stalker from getting close to her or her child before they knew it and give then time to call the police.

[J. Davenport]

Attended Norco high with her and sister, she was full of her self, even back in high school....

[Lexi]

If the gate is not hideous she has a right as human being and taxpayer to feel safe. Obviously that councilman is not concerned with the residents of his area and should be booted out! If the other council people voted yes, it must not be an eyesore.
As for the comment from SF is Better, it makes no difference if she is an actress or a multi-millionaire, whom you might feel would be worthy of a security gate. Law enforcement is not able to be everywhere needed, and it's better to try to be safe than very sorry!

[Stefan]

Well she can always file for a concealed weapons permit to carry a gun, the county sheriff will give it to celebrities (he's done it in the past)-however the common peasant cannot get one. Or she can do what every citizen does when they want to protect themselves. Hire a professional armed body guard!

[Jay in Glendale]

I have been a resident of the city since 1983 and Glendale has many strange laws. You cannot build a fence around the front of your home either and oddly it's a law that has actually been broken by members of it's own city council. Ms. LaRue should have tried to get city permission before building, but she has a point. When does someone's personal safety mean less than a city ordinance that at times makes little sense. As for SF is better's comment. The posters name says it all. It shouldn't matter what a person does for a living. Having a stalker can be a frightening experience and should not be discounted.

[csula09]

SF is better sounds like a hater...She wants to feel protected, there's nothing wrong with that. Celebrities are idolized and stalked by weirdos. Perhaps she did not adhere to the guidelines and get the proper permits, but has anyone tried to get a permit, it takes forever. Anyway, I just thought it was strange that the reaction was negative...someone sounds jealous.

[CJ Wilcox]

I have no problems with her having a gate, and the City of Glendale probably does not either-just do it according to code.

[fixed gear]

RIDICULOUS! And shameful. The woman is trying to protect her SAFETY! Nice neighbors...

[tita]

I agree with you tsfelt....the lady is practically begging to keep the door for safety reasons but it seems that the City of Glendale does not give a hoot and are waiting for something bad to happen to Eva (which I hope it will not happen). Shame on the City of Glendale....

[GARY]

mrs la ru should stand against the person who autherized the permit in the first place and file a civil suit against the city i saw the gate it"s nice just because eva is an actor the people in the city are playing a power trip see this is what is happening with our system this a sign of abuse of power they act like barny fibes on mayberry right andy"" she should look into cctv cams contact homewiring@yahoo.com bob

[Torrance Mom]

Sounds like her neighbors are the ones with a problem. Geez, was the gate even blocking any access? It was probably not up to their standards. Maybe the stalker will hit one of the neighbors' houses by mistake...then they can experience the fear that Ms. LaRue does everyday. What a waste of time.

The city is wasting money on these types of cases instead of fixing Mulholland? Where are the priorities?

[Kearney]

I think everyone should have a gate. Think of all the murders that could be prevented by killers not being able to park in a driveway. As everyone knows walking is krptonite to killers.

[Carlos]

Celebs are never above the law. If she wanted the gate, she should've followed the laws. If she doesn't like it, she's rich enough to move to a place that she feels is safer.

[Eve]

Agreed LJohn.

Ara Najarian should be held personally responsible should anything happen to her or her child, as well as the neighbors who seem to think their concerns outweigh LaRue's.

Maybe it's time to move to a more secure location with neighbors who care about one another.

[John]

Unlike many of you I live in Glendale, actually never knew that I live 7 houses over from her, but the city planner office is run by a bunch of idiot. I had a similar issue and needed a variance...one of the solutions presented by the planner office was to remove 6 inched from one side of my house and add to the other side...this was on an existing home built in 1921. I spent well over 15K just to be able to add one bed room....These folks are crazy....I agree on the mafia comment listed below

[ron castilla]

She needs to spend little cash and get a couple of Pit Bulls,... or are they against code too...

[Flyover LG]

I am new to this story, but I do not see where it said she could not build a fence at all - just that the fence built had to meet city code, and not be too close to the right of way.

[Joemamabush]

Beware of those inspectors from the city they are scrapping up every penny they can. Crooks are more honest then city workers. They want to rob you, while the inspectors tell you it is for your own good. Think about this, zoning enforcement should be closed down. We live in the United States but these folks encourage you to turn in your neighbor. I would love to see all those folks in Beverly hills and other areas follow the same laws 42 inches is all you caN GO. All along chandler in Sherman Oaks those fences need to come down to 42 inches. Wanna get the economy boosted? Turn in all rich people that violate this law. Of 42 inches maxium for heigth of any fence in the city or county limits. Give em hell and make them rich folks conform like we all haves too. Go divided states.