Los Angeles struggles to balance its humane responses to addiction and homelessness with its more instant but often less durable alternatives — police action. MacArthur Park, a 35-acre space in the heart of L.A.’s Westlake neighborhood, is proving to be a frustrating testing ground.
Neighbors want a safer place for children to play and residents to enjoy the outdoors. Does that mean they must tolerate needle exchanges or encourage roundups of homeless people? Are plans to beautify the park just window dressing or a genuine contribution to safety?
The latest debate involves putting a wrought iron fence around the park with limited access through gates. What does a fence say about how the city approaches and resolves its toughest issues?…