LAPD Announced $350,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered in Successful MacArthur Park Operation
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass announced that violent crime in the MacArthur Park area has decreased significantly following City action in January. LAPD also announced the successful recovery of more than $350,000 worth of stolen merchandise. These results follow direct City intervention and the surging of public safety resources to enforce a zero tolerance policy on crime in the area at the end of January as well as continued work by City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez and community organizations. See b-roll taken this afternoon here.
“We know there is still much work to be done in the MacArthur Park community but over the past month, progress has been made in returning the park to the community. Crime in the area is down – theft and organized retail crime will not be tolerated in the City of Los Angeles,” said Mayor Bass. “I want to thank the LAPD for their dedication to stopping crime in MacArthur Park and across the city. I also want to thank Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez and community organizations for their continued work to improve this area for all.”
“There is progress in the neighborhood here in MacArthur Park and I know the work will continue even as assistance is being provided to Angelenos impacted by the Palisades fires,” said Norm Langer, owner of Langer’s Deli. “I want to thank the City for the work being done to help our community.”
Immediately following a multi-victim shooting in January, LAPD surged additional resources into MacArthur Park at the direction of Mayor Bass – increasing a visible footbeat presence and making arrests for suspected gang-related activity. At the same time, the City installed fencing, which has helped disrupt the illegal sales of drugs and stolen goods along with reducing the associated violence in the area.
In the three months before these interventions, there were nearly 100 instances of recorded violent crimes. Over the last five weeks following the intervention, violent crime decreased by 57% including a decrease in robberies and a decrease in aggravated assaults. Data reporting also shows a decrease in property crime, including burglaries and theft from vehicles.
Mayor Bass noted that the work to decrease crime and make the community safer for residents, families, brick-and-mortar businesses and vendors is ongoing. She will be working with Councilmember Hernandez on a safe and legal way for vendors to sell in the MacArthur Park community where they can be free from intimidation and extortion by known gangs. Open air drug use continues to be a serious concern and is key to returning the area to the community. LAPD actions include disrupting sales of narcotics through increased patrols, investigations and arrests. Public health services are being provided to help users break the cycle of addiction.
“We are collaborating with our partners to deliver tangible results in our mission to make MacArthur Park safer, healthier and more accessible,” said Councilmember Hernandez. “My office has launched a series of initiatives that are visibly reducing violence and preventing public health crises, showing that when we invest in community, we invest in public safety.”
Councilmember Hernandez highlighted the results of a series of new initiatives aimed at improving public health and safety that her office launched in December, including two Peace Ambassador teams that work full-time in the area to reduce and prevent violence. The teams responded immediately in the wake of the January multi-victim shooting on Alvarado and have been instrumental in reducing rumors and retaliation. Councilmember Hernandez noted significant reductions in public health risks after launching a Mobile Overdose Response team that collects hazardous materials left in the park and surrounding area. The teams reported a 44% decrease in materials collected after just one month, demonstrating the impact of their efforts. The teams have also reversed 24 overdoses, providing on-the-ground lifesaving interventions and connecting people to treatment and housing resources.
“While we are making significant strides, we recognize that there is still more work to be done,” said LAPD Chief of Police, Jim McDonnell. “Today’s announcement is the result of a collaborative approach which has led to numerous arrests and continues to weaken the infrastructure of organized retail theft in the city. The LAPD remains focused on reducing crime, supporting victims and holding criminals accountable.”
The recovered items, stolen from retailers across the city, including CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Ross Dress for Less, T.J. Maxx and Target were retrieved. Through efforts like these, LAPD detectives work to dismantle theft rings and ensure stolen goods do not make their way back into circulation. Continued actions are deterring retail crime. Created under Mayor Bass in August 2023, the Organized Retail Crime Task Force and the Cargo Theft Unit, have made more than 350 arrests and recovered more than $66 million worth of stolen merchandise.
Additional action taken by Mayor Bass to prevent crime and improve MacArthur Park has included:
Deploying Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) teams, including to respond to the multi-victim shooting in January. GRYD implements de-escalation strategies and works to prevent retaliatory shootings.
Beginning in November, a dedicated CIRCLE team of mental health professionals and individuals with lived experience deployed to address non-violent LAPD calls related to unhoused individuals experiencing crisis.
Partnering with City departments and nearly 20 community organizations to provide safe recreation activities, safe passage and health resources for Fall Fridays in MacArthur Park. This drew more than 4,700 people across 4 weeks to “reclaim” the park. Planned Fall Fridays with the Recreation and Parks Department, Healing Urban Barrios, Homies Unidos and Council District 1.
Conversations to seek recommendations, solutions and feedback directly from residents, vendors, business owners and community organizations like the MacArthur Park Recreation Advisory Board to inform the strategy are ongoing.
More than 200 tons of debris have been removed since the beginning of September, staffing has been increased to clean and maintain MacArthur Park, new solar streetlights were installed to enhance safety and public parking has been improved to directly support local businesses through increased enforcement and no parking signage.