It all started with a popped tire. Daisy De La Rosa, 29, was pulling into the driveway of her Compton home when her tire hit the edge of a pothole and popped. This wasn’t the first time she had to deal with car repairs due to potholes. Frustrated with the situation, Daisy and her husband, Alex De La Rosa, 35, decided to take matters into their own hands.

As independent couriers who rely on their vehicle for deliveries, the couple knew how important it was to have a safe and reliable car. So, while waiting for the tire to be fixed, Alex watched YouTube videos on how to fill a pothole. Instead of waiting for the city to address the deteriorating streets, they made a bold decision to act.

After getting a new tire installed, the couple went to Home Depot, spent $400 on supplies, and fixed not only the pothole in front of their home but four others on the street. Their efforts were appreciated by several neighbors who then requested their services. However, their actions did not sit well with the city of Compton.

On March 14, the city issued a cease-and-desist letter to the couple, demanding that they stop their “unauthorized repairs to public roadways.” The letter emphasized concerns about public safety and the integrity of the city’s infrastructure, stating that all maintenance and repair work on public roadways must adhere to established regulations and procedures.

Daisy expressed her disappointment in the city’s reaction, as she believed they were simply trying to invest in their hometown and improve the roads in their community. She mentioned feeling let down by the lack of action from the city in repairing the roads.

In response to the city’s order, the couple has continued to fill potholes in their neighborhood, supported by their community. Despite facing potential fines, penalties, and liability for damages, the couple remains determined to make a difference.

Support for the De La Rosas has been overwhelming, with a GoFundMe campaign set up by Daisy to purchase bags of asphalt receiving more than the initial goal of $1,000. Additionally, over 150 supporters have signed an online petition endorsing the couple and their work in Compton.

Companies like Road Soup and American Road Patch have donated supplies to assist the couple in their efforts. This display of community support highlights the importance of residents coming together to address issues that impact their daily lives.

While the city of Compton stated that efforts are underway to recruit more staff for road repairs, the proactive approach taken by the De La Rosas serves as a reminder of the power of grassroots initiatives in addressing local concerns.

This story is reminiscent of former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was seen last year filling a pothole in Brentwood. Just like the De La Rosas, Schwarzenegger took matters into his own hands to address a problem affecting his community.