MacArthur Park, situated near LA’s Koreatown, is succumbing to a deepening crisis. Once a peaceful retreat for the community, the park has been overtaken by homeless individuals and drug addicts, resulting in a growing number of incidents and accidents.
On January 16, an 80-year-old Korean-American man was brutally stabbed during his early morning walk, leaving him seriously injured. Just days later, on January 22, a gang-related shooting left six people wounded, according to the LA Police Department.
These incidents expose the hollow promises of city officials to revitalize the park. Only a month ago, City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez (District 1) and other politicians announced a comprehensive safety enhancement program for MacArthur Park. However, during inspections of the park on January 21 and 22, little evidence of these efforts was found.
The scene upon entering the park is disheartening. An overpowering stench fills the air, while the ground is strewn with trash and filth, making navigation treacherous. Scattered butane canisters and lighters are a common sight.
Even in broad daylight, drug use is rampant. Users crouch in stiff, unnatural postures, clutching long, cigarette-like aluminum foil pieces—likely consuming fentanyl, often referred to as the “zombie drug.”
Despite these dire conditions, there are no visible police officers or security guards. Ineffective signs displaying ten regulations—prohibiting activities like smoking, drinking, and tent-pitching—stand as the only attempts at enforcement.
David Kim, a local business owner who has run a chicken restaurant near the park for 20 years, expressed his frustration. “The convenience store in front of my shop shut down last month. The corporate office decided to pull out, even though two or three years remained on their lease,” he said. “Shoplifting and scuffles were constant, and the homeless presence made staff and customers feel unsafe.”
The city had previously announced the launch of a “Peace Ambassador Program” at MacArthur Park this January. Councilmember Hernandez outlined plans for a two-and-a-half-year initiative with dedicated funding. Under the program, unarmed teams would patrol MacArthur Park and the surrounding Westlake area five days a week, addressing emergencies, reporting incidents, and assisting with other issues.
However, even the community center responsible for managing the park was largely in the dark about the program’s implementation. A representative from the center remarked, “We’ve heard about the Peace Ambassador Program, but since it’s managed by Councilmember, we haven’t received any specific details about its schedule or current status.” He added, “Our involvement is limited to working with the LAPD to address issues like tent-pitching after the park closes at night.”
Repeated inquiries to Councilmember Hernandez’s office regarding the program’s timeline, status, and results went unanswered as of January 23. LA Mayor Karen Bass also pledged $3 million for the park’s renovation last July, but no notable progress has been reported since. Similarly, a $1.5 million effort by then-Councilmember Gil Cedillo in 2021 appears to have made little lasting impact.
A small white box hanging from a tree in the park caught our attention. Upon closer inspection, it was found to contain Narcan, a fentanyl antidote, intended for emergency use. Its presence feels emblematic of the city’s approach—offering reactive measures to the drug crisis rather than addressing its root causes.
MacArthur Park is becoming increasingly slum-like. According to LA’s public service system, “My LA 311,” the Westlake area, which includes the park, reported 6,593 incidents of homeless tents last year—the highest number in the city. This figure is double the number reported in downtown LA, highlighting the park’s role as a major gathering point for the homeless and raising concerns about crime.
Despite these challenges, members of the Korean-American community are taking action. The “Mugunghwa Volunteer Society” conducts bi-monthly flowerbed maintenance at the park. However, Eungyong Chang, a leader of the group, noted, “Not everyone in the park is dangerous, but we often face verbal abuse and threats from individuals under the influence of drugs. Some Korean Americans have even been mugged or had their bikes stolen near the park, which shows how unsafe it has become.”
Chang added, “There’s a senior apartment complex near the park, but Korean-American seniors avoid walking near the park early in the morning or evening. They also steer clear of Alvarado Street.”
MacArthur Park lost its vitality long ago. A space once intended for peaceful strolls now feels abandoned and neglected. The city government’s promises of “renovation” ring empty, leaving the community disillusioned and the park’s future uncertain.
By Yoonjae Jung and Hankil Kang [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
