Eastsider Photo by Jesus Sanchez
According to the Eastsider and NBC4, large sections of a chainlink fence surrounding Echo Park Lake were vandalized on Sunday night. No group claimed responsibility, but banners installed at the same time read, "Community DE-FENSE" and "People's Park LA Welcomes You."
News reports noted that a group of bicyclists rammed into sections of fence, knocking them down. The vandals had fled by the time police arrived around 9:00 p.m.
After CD 13 staff found transitional housing with supportive services for people living in a massive homeless encampment at the lake, the City of L.A. spent more than $500,000 to restore Echo Park Lake, which was clogged with tons of trash and human feces. The protective fence was installed in March of 2021 and has been repaired after Sunday’s vandalism. The park is widely used by families, residents and wildlife looking for respite in a well-maintained public space.