Eric Preven, the writer and producer who became one of Los Angeles’ most active and effective civic advocates, has died at the age of 62.
“It is with deep sorrow that we at CityWatch LA announce the passing of our longtime contributor, Eric Preven, who died suddenly on Saturday of an apparent heart attack,” the local news website announced Monday.
“Eric was one of the original writers for CityWatchLA and his voice will be greatly missed. On behalf of all of us at CityWatchLA, we extend our deepest condolences to his brother Joshua and the entire Preven family,” the statement added.
A University of Michigan graduate, Preven moved to Los Angeles from New York to work in Hollywood and called Studio City home for decades, writing for television shows such as “Popular,” “Truth or Consequences” and “Reba.”
His civic activism was sparked about 15 years ago when his mother’s two dogs were confiscated by Los Angeles County animal control officers after a fight with an off-leash dog, according to the Los Angeles Times. He attended several Board of Supervisors meetings pleading (successfully) for the dogs’ return, and in the process found himself both fascinated and appalled by the workings of local government.
Preven would go on to hold local government officials to account on a variety of issues including spending, transparency, homelessness policy and civic reform.
In 2016, he joined the ACLU in suing Los Angeles County in a landmark case that forced the county to disclose legal bills paid to outside law firms.
In 2019, he won a Brown Act case against the city of Los Angeles, establishing the right of the public to comment during “special meetings.”
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger echoed the comments of other officials who said that unlike many civic gadflies who regularly unleash meandering or profane rants at public officials, Preven was a serious and knowledgeable advocate.
“You may not agree with him, but it wasn’t just like [he was] shooting from the hip. He would do his research,” Barger told The Times. “He would let the facts speak for themselves.”
He leaves behind a brother, Joshua Preven, a sister, Anne Preven, his mother, Ruth Preven, his father, David Preven, and two children, 28-year-old Isaac Rooks Preven and 26-year-old Reva Jay Preven.
