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MacArthur Park has changed, says Laiol Cullen Bass.
Westlake’s troubled public square has seen “outdoor markets” of gang shootings, ramp-prolonged drug use, discarded syringes, homelessness, people experiencing mental health crisis, and stolen goods.
But after city crackdowns, Bass said Monday, “Everyone can run around there and I don’t know if there’s any big difference.”
Over the past few months, the city has increased police foot patrols in its neighborhoods and deployed teams with mental health outreach workers to help with drug overdose. The fencing was installed along Alvarado Street to prevent some street vendors from selling stolen goods, officials said.
Vendors are a staple in the immigrant community and sell products in and around the park. But authorities say they sold stolen property, drugs and even guns.
“Many of these vending stands provided an outdoor market for illegal activities,” Bas said during a press conference outlining the city’s efforts to address issues surrounding the park. “Now after a collaborative and comprehensive effort, including actions by the council offices and community groups, the results are beginning to be shown.”
These police efforts have expanded beyond sidewalk vendors to adjacent businesses, claiming that what the city claims is an organized retail theft chain.
Police arrested a woman on suspicion of receiving stolen property on West Sixth Avenue, serving as a search warrant at a storefront on West Sixth Avenue, just across from MacArthur Park. Officers have discovered cases of drugs, makeup and other items believed to have been collected from CVS, Walgreens, Ross, TJ Maxx, and targets.
(Los Angeles Police Station)
Police say they have collected more than $350,000 for items stolen from a storefront on West Sixth Avenue, just across from the park. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the items had been linked to systematic retail theft.
The officer served as a search warrant in the business, arresting Blanca Escobar on suspicion of receiving the property stolen there. According to LAPD, it discovered cases of medication, makeup and other items believed to have been photographed from stores including CVS, Walgreens, TJ Maxx and Target.
There was no immediate information as to whether charges were filed against Escobar.
“LAPD is committed to maintaining and expanding these crime reduction efforts and will continue to increase community outreach, target enforcement and research efforts to ensure that MacArthur Park remains a safer place for everyone,” McDonnell said.
During the crackdown, permitted street vendors said they were being stopped by police.
Colonel Manny Chavez on the LAPD Rampart Patrol said the city had taken a measured approach to dealing with illegal street sales and had conducted outreach with vendors. The officer notified the vendor about what could be sold on the permit and warned the vendor if they were selling illegal items.
“We took a very, very high tolerance level on top of that,” Chavez said in a news briefing.
John Ale, who managed many properties in the Westlake area and suspended press conferences, called the event a “PR stunt” because he was not satisfied with Bass’ remarks on Monday.
The park is not safe, and gang members continue to pose threats to businesses in the neighborhood, he said.
“We have no progress,” Alle added.
Bass compared the situation to a game of “mole” as it seeks to chase illegal street vendors and ensure that it is safe for residents and businesses.
But she said there was progress and McDonnell said crime statistics support it. For all categories of crimes, including property crimes, the police chief said there have been overall overall cuts since December.
“It doesn’t mean that you’re done with work,” the mayor said. “We have a long way to go and we have to deal with people who are suffering from addiction.”
In addition to the increased presence of police, the city has mobilized an outreach team armed with naloxone, a drug that could reverse opioid overdose. The city is also using a cleanup program to remove trash and hazardous materials from parks such as syringes.
“This is about saving lives so people can access treatment and resources and enter homes from the streets,” Councilman Eunices Hernandez said in a news briefing.
Hernandez, who represents the district, said the peace ambassador went to the neighborhood after shooting gangs in January to lift the tensions and get in contact with street residents, street vendors and business owners.
“I also know there’s more to do, which is why my office works to open a drop-in centre near the park that provides toilets, showers and food access,” Hernandez said.
“There are multiple fires at MacArthur Park,” she noted.
Times staff writers David Zanizer and Richard Winton contributed to this report.
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