LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal authorities conducted a sweeping drug enforcement operation near downtown Los Angeles at a location notorious for narcotics activity and homeless camps, timing that coincided with the start of mayoral election voting in a city grappling with ongoing public safety challenges.
Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, who has faced a challenging first term marked by devastating wildfires and recovery efforts, has been pushing city council members to fast-track police department hiring as she campaigns for another four-year term. The primary voting period concludes on June 2.
The Wednesday operation led to 18 people being taken into custody and focused on disrupting fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking in the MacArthur Park area, situated in a heavily populated immigrant community west of the city center. The enforcement action followed years of neighborhood residents voicing concerns about criminal activity, drug dealing, and gang presence in the vicinity.
Municipal officials have faced mounting pressure to halt a needle distribution initiative at the park that critics argue perpetuates rather than addresses local problems. These harm reduction programs supply clean syringes to drug users with the intention of preventing HIV and other bloodborne disease transmission.
At a Wednesday candidate forum, Bass indicated she would terminate the park’s needle program, aligning her position with Republican challenger Spencer Pratt, who has called for eliminating needle exchanges throughout the city. Democratic City Councilmember Nithya Raman, also running for mayor, stated she would continue the program.
Department-wide police data indicates both property crimes and violent offenses have decreased this year compared to 2025.
“No matter what these crime statistics are telling anybody, it’s not how people feel on the street,” Pratt said.
Security concerns extend beyond local boundaries. World Cup matches are scheduled to begin in Southern California next month, and Los Angeles will serve as host for the 2028 Olympics. While federal agencies lead Olympic security planning, questions already exist about whether the Los Angeles Police Department will have sufficient funding and staffing to fulfill its responsibilities.
President Donald Trump has maintained a contentious relationship with heavily Democratic California. In 2019, he made threats to intervene in the state’s homelessness situation but took no action. California serves as headquarters for the so-called Trump resistance, and Trump frequently portrays California as embodying everything he considers problematic about America.
Los Angeles specifically has drawn administration criticism. Trump sent National Guard troops and Marines to the city last summer over objections from Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom following protests that erupted after immigration enforcement sweeps throughout the region. A newly established federal anti-fraud unit has focused attention on Los Angeles regarding extensive hospice fraud, although Newsom maintains his administration has been working on the issue for an extended period.
However, federal officials did collaborate with the LAPD on the drug enforcement operation.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, appointed during the Trump administration, released a statement saying authorities were “reclaiming MacArthur Park from criminals and drug addicts to return this public space to the citizens.” Bass stated the operation had been in development for “many months.” Pratt expressed support for increased federal participation, describing the joint operation as “unbelievable.”
The mayoral campaign in the nearly 4 million-person city is unfolding during a particularly difficult period, with persistent complaints about homelessness, deteriorating infrastructure, and rising housing costs. The previously growing region is experiencing population decline — Los Angeles County saw approximately 54,000 residents leave between July 2024 and July 2025, representing the nation’s largest numerical population decrease for any county, according to federal statistics.
When campaigning four years ago, Bass discussed expanding police department size. However, officer numbers have declined significantly from a peak of 10,000 sworn officers in 2020 to approximately 8,700 currently.
Bass highlights statistics showing her administration has decreased the homeless population, but deteriorating tent camps and rows of abandoned recreational vehicles continue to be common sights across much of the city.
The race in strongly Democratic LA — which also features tech entrepreneur Adam Miller and community activist Rae Huang — resembles the 2022 election, when billionaire developer Rick Caruso campaigned on promises to increase police spending amid widespread worries about crime and homelessness. Bass won that contest decisively.
Norm Langer, who operates Langer’s Delicatessen across from the park, had contemplated shuttering the well-known restaurant due to drug activity and encampments that he claimed were deterring customers.
He informed reporters Wednesday he was “absolutely thrilled” about the federal operation but also seemed to doubt Bass’ dedication to ending the needle distribution at the park.
The program, he said, is “prolonging these people getting help.”
John Alle, who owns the restaurant building, said the LAPD had reduced patrols in the park.
“We’ve got a day or two where we don’t have MacArthur Park patrolled. And we’re suffering the consequences,” Alle said. “The crime has not gone down.”
