At least half a dozen people were arrested in a sting operation in MacArthur Park, the Los Angeles Police Department reported Thursday.
Dozens of LAPD and Drug Enforcement Agency personnel were seen staged at the park at 9 p.m. Wednesday when the operation began, according to the LAPD.
Wednesday’s operation marked the second phase of a three-phase effort that began in May, dubbed by authorities as “Free MacArthur Park,” which aims to address what the Department of Justice described as an open-air drug market running rampant in the park, involving massive amounts of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Mayor Karen Bass praised the ongoing effort Thursday, saying, “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.”
Bass also said treatment services are critical to the long-term effort, adding, “Those in the throes of addiction need access to treatment, plain and simple.”
She called on the state and county to increase funding for treatment facilities and recovery services.
“My office will continue to use all resources available to advance a comprehensive strategy to restore MacArthur Park that goes beyond law enforcement,” Bass said, citing violence prevention services, enhanced park programming, increased sanitation efforts and the installation of permanent infrastructure to protect park facilities.
Authorities said the third phase will aim at addressing drug use through treatment services, which leaders describe as a more compassionate approach.
The LAPD said May’s operation focused mainly on MacArthur Park but also included arrests in Calabasas, San Gabriel and South Los Angeles.
“This operation is focused solely on drug-related criminal activity,” the LAPD said in a statement. “There is no connection to immigration enforcement. We remain committed to keeping our communities safe and informed as this operation continues.”