Police conducted sweeps in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park on Tuesday as part of an ongoing effort to combat drug activity and crime in the area. The Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division has increased foot patrols in the park, aiming to clear out users and low-level dealers who have contributed to persistent issues.
Capt. Ben Fernandes, Commanding Officer of the Rampart Division, stated that police and federal officers have significantly disrupted drug dealing at MacArthur Park. He described the current phase of the operation as targeting the remaining users and dealers, many of whom appear disoriented. "They're zombies, walking around aimlessly, just trying to get a fix," Fernandes said. "We need to break the cycle."
During a patrol on Monday, officers arrested a woman smoking fentanyl who appeared disoriented and had an outstanding warrant. Officers found drug paraphernalia associated with fentanyl and methamphetamine. Later, on the south side of the park, officers encountered a group of users and small-time dealers who fled upon their approach. One homeless individual requested and received a referral to a shelter.
MacArthur Park, over a century old and once envisioned as Los Angeles' answer to the Champs-Élysées, has struggled with crime since the 1980s, exacerbated by the influx of fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine. This led to an open-air drug market and instances of human trafficking. In response, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, federal prosecutor Bill Essayli, and LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman have collaborated on initiatives to address the problem, including operations against drug distribution networks and gangs.
The current Rampart Division patrols are a continuation of these efforts. Norm Langer, owner of Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant adjacent to the park, believes the park's restoration is approximately 70% complete. He expressed a desire for the park to be accessible to families and children again, noting progress in removing gangs and drugs from the streets, while acknowledging that further work remains.