Echo Park Lake reopens this afternoon following a two-month closure. The park was closed after a tumultuous fight between city officials and protestors over the forced clearing of a large homeless encampment.
In March, police issued a dispersal order to those living at the encampment, which led to multiple nights of protests. The LA times reported arrests of protesters, journalists and legal observers with 182 people arrested in one night alone.
City Council Member Mitch O’Farrell considered the sweep, which cleared over 200 homeless people’s belongings, a success. O’Farrell framed the forced clearing as a safety issue.
"This week showed us that we are capable of changing the status quo when it comes to our approach to homelessness in Los Angeles, which has been a failure in the past, both for our most vulnerable residents who seek shelter and services and Angelenos who demand safe and secure access to their public spaces,” O’Farrell said in a statement.
"Everybody has been offered shelter," Heidi Marston, Executive Director of Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority told LAist. "Some folks have chosen to leave, but I would say the majority of folks have received shelter." But some of the unhoused cleared from the location say the transitional shelters are more like jails and fail to meet their needs.
Following the forced relocation of L.A.’s unhoused from the park, the area was fenced-off and closed to the public while repairs took place. More than 35 tons of solid waste was removed from the location. The cost of cleaning, repairs and upgrading topped $600-thousand dollars. The Department of Recreation and Parks previously authorized up to $1.1 million for repairs at the park.
LA Police Chief Michel Moore said police should not be needed in the park following the reopening.
“We believe that this shouldn’t require law enforcement response from LAPD. We look for everyone to comply with the rules and the regulations relative to that park, and I’m hopeful that it will not be a police matter,” said Moore.
Moore added that park rangers are on-site should park-goers need any assistance.