MacArthur Park fencing project raises concerns among Westlake neighbors

A new fencing project at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles' Westlake District is stirring mixed reactions among local residents, CBS News Los Angeles reported. The plan involves erecting an 8-foot fence around the park's perimeter, with installation starting next Monday along the north side between 6th Street and Wilshire Boulevard, and the southern edge between Wilshire and 7th Street.

The fencing initiative follows a series of drug enforcement crackdowns in the park this year and is intended to enhance safety by limiting access and aiding law enforcement. Some residents, like Aurora Corona, support the project, hoping it will reduce drug activity and encourage families to visit the park more confidently. However, concerns remain about displacement and shifting problems to nearby neighborhoods, especially since the park's eight entrances will close nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Westlake North Neighborhood Council president Elaine Alaniz highlighted ongoing issues linked to drug use and homelessness, including recent fires affecting local buildings. Neighbors have called for additional measures such as placing a park ranger or a Los Angeles Police Department substation within the park to address safety more effectively.

The fencing project is expected to cost over $2 million and may be completed by next fall. A community meeting was held Thursday to discuss disaster preparedness and the project's implications for the neighborhood.