A businessman who owns several properties across from MacArthur Park told KNX News’ Emily Valdez he welcomes the ICE raids.
“I actually welcomed it because they're doing the job and pointing out the situation to all of Los Angeles that it's not working,” John Alle said.
Alle said he believes Monday’s ICE raid at MacArthur Park was to send a message to the cartels.
“ I think they were trying to show the cartels to leave the park because this is ground zero for the cartels and the gang members, and everyone that works here is scared to death,” he said. “Everyone that lives [sic] here is scared to death. The only safe place in that park is a soccer field, and that's where kids play soccer, but their parents are there watching them. And then they have the long walk home. There are attacks on pedestrians, and just going to and from the park office to park board meetings, there are attacks. People are attacked. They're robbed.”
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He added that he would like to see Border Patrol make appearances at “unannounced times.”
“They want to protect us,” he said. “ Life and safety is the main obligation of any government, local, regional, or federal. “
Alle also said he would like to see more agents riding horseback around the area.
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