I graduated in 1984 and it seems that the press must have been slow to see the problem. I recall that they also drained the lake in either 1981 or 82— One of my neighbors (a fine art student/sculptor) collected a bunch of mud-covered trash from the bottom of the lake and made sculptures from the items by stacking them in mounds. Mostly muddy tennis shoes.
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Bodies are still found in the lake even in recent times. 
For example:
2024: 2 arrested after 28-year-old man found dead in LA's MacArthur Park Lake - CBS Los Angeles
2022: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/body-found-in-water-at-macarthur-park/2798058/
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It’s ground zero for MS-13 on the west coast. Certain parts of the park should not be walked thru at any hours of the day. I love that we have a strong Central American presence I don’t love the gangs that harm innocent working class immigrants. The Guatemalan Night Market and Corridor are all wonderful food/cultural experiences.
It’s the case for many neighborhoods in Los Angeles most people are just trying to work, get by, and feed their families. Many are also extorted by MS-13. The drugs, prostitution, etc are all controlled by MS-13.
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While no doubt there is a serious gang problems still in the area and the homelessness and drug issues are dire. I’ve walks the length of the park several times in the past few years and attended events at the Levitt (which has an awesome schedule this year). I’ve always seen families enjoying the park. Lots of Teams playing soccer and kids in the play area. I never felt unsafe whether on my bike or on foot. As others have mentioned… it used to be so much worse on all levels with the gangs and the crime and the trash. It’s been historically neglected by the city, police and businesses. And the few times I have seen or myself have spoken to the police in the area. They blame you for being there. 
This is the densest area on the city and the problems didn’t happen overnight. So it’s going to take a while for things to “turn around” and as a fan of Langers, I do hope they do work with the city to help bring more security and resources to the area, like the park re-unification project which will bring much needed additional clinic in the park.
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I think the few times I been thru there I was asked, “Where ya from?”. “What are you doing here?” “Are you LAPD?”. I love seeing the families and the people playing soccer it’s these dudes that make me feel unsafe when I am just minding my own business
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Delete
I just learned recently that the lyrics of the song MacArthur Park were based on things the author, Jimmy Webb, saw while walking through the park in the mid-60s. Someone had actually left a cake with green icing out in the rain.
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Now it would be a fresh needle
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I’m not entirely sure what one hopes to gain by the “it used to be worse in the 80s” comments. Okay, even if it was, is that supposed to make all the criminal and dangerous activity going on in the present somehow less abhorrent and vile? Plus, that’s over 40 years ago–whether it was Norm or his father Albert before him, you’ve got a lot more fight in you when you’re young.
Things indeed have gotten way out of hand in our city. Good on Langer’s ownership for speaking up. I much rather have the option to buy a pastrami on rye than some crack and a fake ID.
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I consider it more sad and heatbreaking than “abhorrent and vile.” But YMMV.
Regardless, I don’t see anyone on this thread trying to downplay what’s happening right now. I do see people simply wondering about the motivation of a well-known business bringing up the issue in the media when the business (and the owners themselves) have been around long enough to have seen things just as bad in the past.
I also don’t see anyone saying that the owners SHOULDN’T be using the media in this way. I think posters were just genuinely curious.
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Fair enough. Using metro rail as the primary way to get around while living and working in downtown for most of my life has certainly left me with gray-colored glasses. Everyone else’s experience and immersion into the area will vary. I’ve just seen too much, and as someone mentioned, the hardworking immigrant families that aren’t usually as vocal are the ones that are most affected.
My take: I don’t think Langer’s ownership voicing its concern and leveraging their position goes any deeper than them having a desire to improve things in the community, and, seeing no action, feeling enough is enough. I also wouldn’t be surprised if the staff who live and work in the area appreciate the championing of safety and security.
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Cue All About That Bass.
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Oh for fuck’s sake…
I hope we all believe that Norm was being serious and not just grandstanding now
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