Los Angeles(Thechieftainspear) – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed the public on Monday to discuss ongoing efforts to improve safety in MacArthur Park, an area long troubled by crime and public safety concerns.
Joined by city officials, including Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Bass announced that recent initiatives have helped reduce criminal activity in the neighborhood.
“Crime in this area is decreasing,” Bass stated. “We are sending a clear message: theft and organized retail crime will not be tolerated in Los Angeles.”
MacArthur Park has struggled with issues such as drug activity, homelessness, and violent crime for years. In response to a mass shooting earlier this year, LAPD ramped up enforcement efforts, leading to multiple arrests tied to gang-related incidents.
Chief McDonnell emphasized the city’s commitment to improving safety. “We have taken concrete steps to address these problems, and while there is still work to do, we have made significant progress in a short time.”
Among the key measures implemented are an increased police presence, installation of fencing along Alvarado Street to curb illegal drug and weapon sales, and enhanced community engagement.
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“These initiatives are making a real impact,” McDonnell said. “In December 2024, there were 26 reported violent crimes, including 14 robberies and 12 aggravated assaults. By January, that number dropped to 23, and in February, it fell to 14—marking a 46% decline since December.”
Councilmember Hernandez, whose district includes MacArthur Park and the Westlake area, highlighted a multi-faceted strategy that includes social outreach.
“We’ve deployed peace ambassadors and a mobile overdose response team,” Hernandez said. “These teams have successfully reversed 24 overdoses and distributed more than 3,000 naloxone kits to those in need.”
Additionally, the city has ramped up sanitation efforts, removing over 45,000 pounds of trash in six weeks.
“When public spaces are clean, they become safer and more welcoming,” Hernandez added.
The press conference followed a major law enforcement operation in which LAPD officers executed a search warrant at a business near 6th and Alvarado streets. Authorities recovered a large stash of stolen merchandise worth approximately $300,000, including items from major retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, and Target.
The store owner was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property, police confirmed .
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