Los Angeles County's district attorney hosts picnic at MacArthur Park

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hosted a picnic in MacArthur Park over the weekend for his friends, family and colleagues. The park has been a point of contention, especially during the Los Angeles mayor's race, with a lot of discussion happening around how to make the park safe for families amid heavy drug activity. Back in June, Hochman vowed to make MacArthur Park safe for Angelenos, promising to take his family to the park for a Labor Day picnic if the situation there improved. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hosted a picnic in MacArthur Park over Labor Day weekend. (KTLA) Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hosted a picnic in MacArthur Park over Labor Day weekend. (KTLA) Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hosted a picnic in MacArthur Park over Labor Day weekend. (KTLA) Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman hosted a picnic in MacArthur Park over Labor Day weekend. (KTLA) He made this comment after a major federal enforcement raid targeting the demand end of drug operations, including small dealers and drug addicts, was carried out in the park. In early May, 18 people were arrested in a similar operation in MacArthur Park, targeting the notorious open-air drug market tied to fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking. The raids were part of 'Operation Free MacArthur Park' and involved federal and local law enforcement agencies serving arrest and search warrants throughout the area surrounding the park. While Hochman said he's glad he made good on his promise, he said the work there is not done. 'The whole point of this picnic was to keep the spotlight on MacArthur Park,' he said. 'This is not a one-and-done operation. This has to be done week in and week after and week after that. And if we do that, we keep the spotlight, we will make MacArthur Park a home for families instead of a home for criminals.' The district attorney said the LAPD's random daily patrols are working to deter criminal activity while making the park safe for families.