LOS ANGELES – Mayor Bass today issued the following statement on ongoing efforts to restore MacArthur Park to the families who live around it.
“MacArthur Park is no place for drug use, violence, or organized crime. I have directed the LAPD to utilize every resource available to stop the flow of narcotics and stolen merchandise in the park and surrounding area.
“Just as importantly, because the State and County – not the City – are responsible for providing mental health and drug treatment services, they must increase funding for treatment facilities and recovery services to stop the revolving door between jail and our parks. Those in the throes of addiction need access to treatment, plain and simple.
“My office will continue to use all resources available to advance a comprehensive strategy to restore MacArthur Park that goes beyond law enforcement, including the deployment of violence prevention services, enhanced park programming, the increased deployment of City sanitation crews, and the installation of permanent infrastructure to protect park facilities.”