Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says the city is going on offense after a chaotic street takeover rattled downtown — promising a surge of police patrols and “zero tolerance” for the lawless spectacles that have plagued parts of the city.
Bass announced Tuesday that the Los Angeles Police Department will launch a strategic deployment across Downtown LA, just days after a street takeover spiraled into an incident at the luxury Circa LA Apartments across the street from the LA Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena.
The new policing push will flood the area with patrol cars, horse-mounted officers, foot patrols and undercover units, according to the mayor’s office.
“Here is a message to anyone who thinks they can come Downtown and cause trouble: LAPD will be Downtown in force to arrest you,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “What happened at Circa LA Apartments is despicable. And we have zero tolerance for street takeovers.”
The new show of force comes after a brazen early-morning rampage Sunday that started with drivers spinning donuts and ended with the same group storming the luxury high-rise. The rowdy crowd was seen smashing a glass window, clashing with building staff and overturning furniture, per footage obtained by KTLA.
The announcement came alongside LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and downtown business leaders, who said the crackdown is needed to restore safety in one of the city’s busiest areas.
“This weekend’s incident in the Figueroa and LA Live corridor was extremely disturbing, and the concerns raised by residents, businesses and visitors are absolutely justified,” said McDonnell. “Our message today is simple: the Los Angeles Police Department is fully committed to maintaining safety and stability in this vital part of our City.”
Bass framed the police surge as part of a broader push to revitalize the city’s economic core, warning the lawlessness could threaten billions in investment. “We are fighting, everyday, to build back our economy,” Bass said, pointing to the modernization and expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
City officials say the beefed-up police presence will remain in place as authorities try to deter future street takeovers — and reassure residents and visitors that the city’s downtown hub is safe.