Norm Langer supports Los Angeles’ recent work to combat crime at MacArthur Park and says that closing Langer’s deli has not been off the table, but he has decided to stick for a while.
Seven months ago, Langer told The Times that he was considering closing his historic 77-year-old facility due to drug activity, crime and camps in a community tired of handling by him and other business owners.
The impact of these issues is still felt, the 80-year-old businessman pointed out.
At 12:15pm on Tuesday, Langer told the Times that nine tables and six counter seats were empty. There have been a line of customers leaving the door for the past few years.
He said it is crime that keeps patrons at bay, and it is a news report that continues. The public has the right to know what’s going on, including when six people were injured in a gang-related shooting at MacArthur Park in January, Langer said. But “The next day people hear that and they’re afraid.”
“I have to try to convince people… it’s safe to come here,” he said.
But in March, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass promoted the “significant” change at MacArthur Park, and Langer agrees.
Los Angeles police deployed teams with mental health outreach workers to increase foot patrols in their neighborhoods and to help with drug overdose. Authorities also said fencing was installed along Alvarado Street to put the brakes on the sale of stolen goods, including drugs and guns, by some street vendors.
Langer said there are business owners and community leaders who don’t agree with the approach city officials are taking to counteract crime. However, he said he was grateful to see the police presence.
“They play their role in what they have,” he said. “The problem here is, as far as I can see, cities in all regions are under-resourced.”
So he practices patience, noting that the city had to focus its resources on emergency response to the Pallisard and Eton fires that destroyed parts of Los Angeles in January. While standing in his previous statement about closing, “I am giving the city the opportunity to revise [these issues]I think it has the right to do. ”
In the meantime, Langer said he was looking for his neighborhood.
Customers who want to patronise Langer’s deli can park in the business lot on the northeast corner of 7th Avenue and Westlake Avenue.
“I want the 7th Avenue street from Westlake to Alvarado Clean so customers can come to me [restaurant]without worry, eat, enjoy, relax and go back to the car,” he said.
Last month, police chief Jim McDonnell said there has been an overall cut of 42% since December for all categories of crime, including property crimes.
Langer said he looks forward to seeing more progress. As for the question of how long he will keep his door open, his goal is to run his business for the three major sports championships coming to Los Angeles in 2026, the Super Bowl LXL in 2027, and the Summer Olympics in 2028.
Times staff writer Nathan Solis contributed to this report.
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