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In a busy downtown area of Los Angeles, the Oceanwide Plaza Tower — once envisioned as a grand addition to the city’s skyline — has become a haven for vandals, graffiti artists and BASE jumpers.
The unfinished tower blocks have not only attracted unwanted attention but also become a significant drain on police resources, costing approximately 3,000 hours of police time so far, according to authorities.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore addressed the issue at a news conference, stating the towers had “strained our deployment.” He continued, “We have called in some officers on an overtime basis so that we can provide for these added patrols or station them at that site to deter vandals and others from gaining access to it while also ensuring that we meet the minimum deployment requirements for stations across the city.”
The situation escalated recently when a video of a man parachuting from the top of one of the towers went viral, prompting urgent safety concerns from Mayor Karen Bass.
“People being in that building is extremely dangerous,” Bass told NBC Los Angeles. “I guarantee you tragedy will take place there if that place is not boarded up quickly.”
The department’s Air Support Division has witnessed many of the trespassers engaging in vandalism. Reports indicate that 30 floors of the towers have been covered in graffiti, with 18 arrests made since February 1.
In addition, the LAPD reported receiving calls of shots fired on the street in front of the project, but thankfully did not report any victims. No suspects were found.
Construction on the $1 billion mixed-use retail and luxury apartments project, which began in 2015, was halted in 2019 after the developer went out of business due to financial constraints.
“We do think that unfortunately it has become an iconic location to draw and for nefarious acts,” Moore stated, referring to the graffiti. He also highlighted that some of those arrested were from out of town.
Efforts to address the issue are underway, with the City Council considering a motion to allocate $3 million for measures such as installing a new fence, clearing debris and possibly hiring private security guards to alleviate the pressure on the police force.
Councilmember Kevin De León, representing the area, expressed frustration about attempts to reach the China-based developer responsible for the towers.
“I have tried to contact the China-based developer by phone, email and social media but had not managed to make contact,” he stated.
The recent arrests include four individuals, Sebastian Zoro-Gutierrez, Andrew Rios, Mauro Aguilar and Jessie Carreon, all charged with trespassing. All four were cited and released.
Meanwhile, the Oceanwide Plaza Towers remain unfinished, overshadowing the vibrant LA Live complex and Crypto.com Arena, and raising concerns about safety and security in the heart of downtown Los Angeles.
The LAPD continues to monitor the situation closely amid ongoing vandalism incidents and safety hazards posed by unauthorized individuals accessing the site.
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