Introduction to Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a sprawling city of nearly 4 million people living in an area encompassing about 500 square miles. For someone who has never visited before, the expanse of LA and where one location is in relation to any other can be overwhelming to picture.
The Impact of Protests on Tourism
For tourists visiting this week, the protests over immigration enforcement operations and the violent clashes that broke out during some of the demonstrations added an unsettling layer of uncertainty about a city many had only seen in alarming pictures and video. "First time. It was a little bit scary to be honest, but our tour was pre-booked and we started re-arranging everything when we saw the protests were mostly downtown," said Markus Loehle, visiting from Germany.
Protests and Demonstrations
This week’s protests have been concentrated in a few blocks of downtown Los Angeles near City Hall and a federal detention center just south of the 101 Freeway. A limited curfew was declared for the section of downtown Los Angeles affected by protests, which includes 1 square mile. Outside of the city of Los Angeles, there have been smaller demonstrations, including one that turned violent Saturday in the southern LA County community of Paramount about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
Tourist Impressions
Donna Russell is visiting from Oklahoma. Some businesses in downtown Los Angeles have boarded up windows and taken other precautions ahead of a weekend of demonstrations. "I knew by the news it was centralized, so I knew we’d be safe when we went," said Russell. Up at Griffith Observatory, one of the city’s jewels high above bustling Los Angeles, visitors like Karin Brocades took in a view Friday that helps illustrate the city’s vast size. "Well, we haven’t been here that long, but what we’ve see so far is very good, very safe, very nice," Brocades said.
Safety and Security
Matthias Meiberg, visiting from Austria, made the trip downtown and saw signs of this week’s protests and violence. "We’ve been to downtown, and we felt quite unsafe to be honest," Meiberg said. "But everything else is super safe. The police are amazing here and, actually, we have felt super safe in other areas." Police credit in part a nightly curfew, which first was declared Tuesday night, for the decrease in crimes since Monday night when there were reports of vandalism and looting at about two dozen businesses in the downtown area.
The curfew will remain in effect for part of downtown Los Angeles through the weekend, when more demonstrations are planned in the area.
Precautions and Arrests
Some businesses boarded up windows in the Little Tokyo area and elsewhere as a precaution ahead of this weekend’s protests. The curfew area includes an area bounded by the 5, 10 and 110 freeways to the 110 Freeway, and the 10 Freeway to where the 110 and 5 freeways merge. It will be in effect, as it has since Tuesday, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. The Los Angeles Police Department reported 33 arrests for failure to disperse and 13 for curfew violations overnight Thursday into Friday in the downtown Los Angeles area.
Law Enforcement Response
The night was the third under the limited curfew that was declared after Monday’s looting and vandalism. There have been no arrests reported for vandalism and looting since the declaration of the curfew. On Thursday night, the LAPD reported people in a crowd throwing objects, including commercial grade fireworks, at officers. Several officers have been injured after responding to the violence with most suffering minor injuries. Local and state law enforcement, such as the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol, has responded to the protests, violence and criminal activity. National Guard members activated by President Trump have been guarding federal property, including a federal detention center in downtown LA. About 200 Marines mobilized by federal authorities entered Los Angeles Friday to guard federal property and personnel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the protests in Los Angeles have had a significant impact on tourists visiting the city. While some have felt unsafe and have had to rearrange their plans, others have reported feeling safe and enjoying their time in the city. The nightly curfew and increased police presence have helped to decrease crimes and maintain order in the downtown area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are the protests in Los Angeles safe for tourists?
A: While the protests have been concentrated in a few areas of downtown Los Angeles, tourists have reported feeling safe in other areas of the city. It is recommended to stay informed about the latest developments and to avoid areas where protests are taking place.
Q: What precautions are being taken to ensure safety?
A: A nightly curfew has been declared for the downtown area, and police are increasing their presence to maintain order. Some businesses have also boarded up windows as a precaution.
Q: How many arrests have been made during the protests?
A: The Los Angeles Police Department has reported several arrests for failure to disperse, curfew violations, and other crimes. The exact number of arrests is not available, but it is reported to be over 200.
Q: Are there any areas that tourists should avoid?
A: Yes, tourists are advised to avoid the downtown area, particularly at night, and to stay away from areas where protests are taking place. It is recommended to check with local authorities for the latest information on safe areas to visit.
