Local non-profit organization California Rising will host a town hall this evening to discuss public safety issues in MacArthur Park. The historic park is an important part of East L.A., but has been struggling with numerous public safety concerns and drug issues in recent months. 136 robberies and aggravated assaults have been reported at the park this year, with one shooting happening just yesterday.
In response to these concerns, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks has planned to construct an eight-foot-tall fence surrounding the park. The fence will close off the park from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day, with hopes of reducing crime during critical hours. The proposed fence was met with concerns from the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission, which worried that it may be permanent. The proposed fence is among the topics that will be discussed at tonight’s town hall.
The town hall is also expected to discuss topics such as needle and pipe distribution programs, fencing around the park, law enforcement resources, safe street vending regulations, closing a section of Wilshire Boulevard that goes through the park, the opening of the Westlake Theatre and more. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman and LAPD Rampart division leaders are expected to be in attendance.
The town hall will take place this evening, Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Iglesia Pentecostés Más Que Vencedores en Cristo, located at 2020 W 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057.
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