The mesh fence that surrounded Echo Park Lake last year was removed Sunday night after city officials demolished the homeless camp for repairs, but not by park rangers.
According to Officer Annie Hernandez, the LAPD received a call that someone broke the fence. About 300 feet of chain links were broken and scattered across the park, she said.
08/08/2022 19:39 A previous version of this post said that Knock LA was on the site on Tuesday evening. The correct day is Sunday.
Knock LA was at the scene on Sunday and documented the removal of the fence on social media. A barbed wire fence hung from a tree in the park with the words “Protect the Community!” Another sign read: “Welcome to Los Angeles People’s Park.”
The fence has been the subject of intense local attention since it was installed last year after the city cleared out the park’s homeless camps.
Later, in March 2021, Echo Park was closed for renovations, and according to park rangers, the fence was to temporarily close the park while more than $500,000 worth of repairs were carried out. Restoration work has been completed and the park has reopened, but a year later the fence is still standing.
No suspects were known as of Monday morning, Hernandez said, but park rangers have opened a criminal investigation.
The researchers found that of the 183 people on the Echo Park Lake accommodation list, only 17 were placed in some form of long-term housing.
Melissa Hernandez is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She was an intern in the New York Times Summer Internship Program 2021, during which time she performed general duties at the Metro Help Desk. Hernandez is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in journalism and environmental science, and a member of the 2021-2022 Los Angeles Times Fellowship.
August 8, 2022 7:39 pm: A previous version of this article stated that Knock LA was at the scene on Tuesday evening. The correct day is Sunday.
Post time: Aug-24-2022
