Local Residents Raise Concerns About Safety at Lexington Pocket Park Due to Drug Use and Fentanyl Issues
Safety Concerns Mount at Lexington Pocket Park in Hollywood
LOS ANGELES – Residents near Lexington Pocket Park in Hollywood are voicing significant safety concerns, citing issues such as illegal drug use, gang graffiti, and unsanitary conditions. Many locals believe that the park, located off the 101 freeway and Lexington Avenue, has transformed into a hazardous environment for families and children.
Local residents report increasing drug activity and persistent homelessness within the park’s vicinity. Some have noted graffiti, including symbols associated with the MS-13 gang, appearing on playground equipment. "You would not have your child play in that,” said Sabine Phillips, a nearby resident. “It’s nice to have a park here, but there’s no oversight at all.”
Reporters visiting the park noted the presence of litter and human waste, causing unpleasant odors that permeate the neighborhood. These concerns have intensified since the September 2022 death of 15-year-old Melanie Ramos, who died of a fentanyl overdose at a nearby high school. Authorities have since linked her drug use to the activities surrounding Lexington Pocket Park.
“The situation has only worsened since then,” Phillips remarked, referencing a recent deadly shooting in the area.
Community members claim that the park is intended to be locked overnight but frequently remains open. Observations revealed a padlock on the gate covered in cobwebs, indicating it may not have been secured in some time. Phillips emphasized, "When I talk to people in this neighborhood, they all tell me the same thing: We don’t go to that park. Nobody can go there."
Community leaders assert that the issues at Lexington Pocket Park reflect broader challenges faced by small parks across Los Angeles. Similar problems have been reported at MacArthur Park, Westwood Park, and North Hollywood Park, where residents have also noted drug activity and violence.
"We have all these pocket parks around the city that aren’t being maintained," stated Colter Carlisle, vice president of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council. "They end up being drug dens or places for gangs to hang out."
In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for Los Angeles City Council District 13, represented by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, confirmed that the Department of Recreation and Parks services Lexington Pocket Park daily and is actively discussing potential changes in usage.
Local residents are currently circulating a petition advocating for the park’s closure or repurposing. Until such measures are taken, they worry the ongoing problems will persist.
