Hoards of junkies continue to line up for free needles — distributed out of a black Jeep circlingMacArthur Park— less than a week afterMayor Karen Bassdistanced herself from the program.
The California Post was there Tuesday and watched syringes being handed out in the middle of the neighborhood’s spiraling drug crisis. The chaos unfolding around MacArthur Park has become one of the biggest political flashpoints in Los Angeles.
Residents andbusiness ownerssay the area has spiraled into an open-air drug bazaar flooded with fentanyl, crack, meth and overdose emergencies.
“It’s the third time she has lied,” property owner John Alle told the Post. Alle, one of the loudest critics of conditions surrounding the park said he’s tired of empty promises from Bass.
“She told me at the park, with the chief standing next to me, she was against needle and drug pipe handouts. I asked her if I could quote her on that. She said, ‘I’m against it,’” Alle added.
The political contradiction exploded after theMay 6 mayoral debatewhen candidates were asked whether they supported needle distribution programs. Progressive mayoral candidate Nithya Raman answered yes to the question. Bass and Spencer Pratt both answered no.
But on Tuesday, The Post watched The Sidewalk Project, an organizationfunded by the city, hand out needles and crack pipes in MacArthur Park.
California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.
City records reviewed by The Post show the distribution is tied to amayor-backed initiativeworth more than $1 million that was approved by the City Council in November 2024 after being introduced by Bass’ office.
The contract connected to MacArthur Park called for distributing 75,000 sterile syringes, 25,000 safer smoking kits, commonly known as crack pipes, and 5,000 doses of naloxone.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
