Eunice Hernandez and the Crisis at MacArthur Park

Meet Eunice Hernandez, a City Council member whose yearly earnings and perks far exceed those of most Angelenos. Meanwhile, MacArthur Park, a historic area in her district, is deteriorating into a fentanyl crisis.

Recently, it was reported that open drug use, pipe smoking, and other illegal activities are happening in broad daylight at the park, along with the distribution of city-funded supplies like needles and food. This chaotic scene defines the park’s current state.

Last Thursday, Hernandez had an opportunity to engage with her constituents during a crowded public meeting—but she didn’t show up.

Parents, local residents, and small business owners gathered, but Hernandez was absent.

Challenger Maria “Lou” Calanche took the stage with a life-sized cutout of Hernandez, jokingly introducing her to the crowd as “MIA.” Laughter filled the room.

Calanche expressed frustration at Hernandez’s absence, noting that she missed multiple debates while the city faces serious issues, including parents’ inability to take their children to the park due to safety hazards like human waste in playgrounds.

“Action is required,” Calanche asserted. “I refuse to be a no-show like her.”

Then came the punch of reality.

Calanche pointed out that Hernandez earns $250,000 annually, suggesting that simply showing up is a basic expectation. “It’s sad, and we need change,” she exclaimed.

Feedback from local business owners and residents consistently highlights that the current disruption is a result of Hernandez’s policies. They believe her decisions are directly responsible for the crisis.

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, now campaigning to reclaim his former position, argues that the situation at MacArthur Park results from entrenched political ideologies that fail to enforce the law. “Without law and order, social issues flourish, including drug and sex trafficking,” he said, noting that residents are bearing the brunt of this failure.

Rick Caruso, a real estate developer and former mayoral candidate, echoed Villanueva’s sentiment. He pointed out, “We’ve created a drug haven,” which has critically harmed local businesses.

Just before Hernandez took office in December 2022, her predecessor allocated over $1.2 million for MacArthur Park’s rehabilitation, aiming for improvements like patrols by the police and the rejuvenation of family-friendly facilities.

From the outset, Hernandez opposed these efforts, staging protests and even distributing food to keep people in the area as the city attempted to address homelessness.

Since she assumed her role, enforcement and oversight have significantly declined.

Caruso noted that problems now extend well beyond the park itself. He mentioned that a local landmark, Langer’s Deli, has had to close early due to safety concerns after dark.

Statistics reveal that Fire Station 11, which serves the area, has recorded numerous overdoses this year, with nearly four per day, making it one of the busiest fire stations in the nation.

Caruso emphasized the extreme mental fatigue facing firefighters dealing with these repeated crises.

Records indicate that all deaths linked to incidents within and around MacArthur Park in the last two years stemmed from fentanyl, methamphetamine, or a mix of dangerous drugs.

“Leaving a place like this unattended leads to fatalities,” Villanueva remarked.

At just 35 years old, Hernandez gained political clout through alliances with criminal justice reform groups and endorsements from organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America. Yet, she has never managed a city department or budget effectively.

Her critics argue that her lack of experience is evident. Lou Calanche noted the importance of experienced leadership in the context of public safety.

Since taking office, Hernandez has voted against the city budget that called for increased police funding, despite rising crime and drug-related activity in her district. She also resisted measures aimed at addressing rampant copper wire theft, which has cost the city significantly.

Moreover, Hernandez redirected $250,000 intended for scholarships toward distributing safer drug use supplies, which has resulted in numerous unused syringes littering the area.

Despite city investments of around $27 million to stabilize MacArthur Park during her term, the outcome has been quite the opposite.

By fall 2025, the situation had deteriorated to a point where the city okayed a $2.3 million fence around the park, reversing previous stances against such actions due to perceived “criminalization.”

As challenger Raul Claros expressed, “If the fence had gone up after renovations, we would have saved millions and preserved the park.”

Caruso summarized the consequences as overarching and self-inflicted: “This is a complete waste of money. We’ve created a drug paradise—it’s a terrible idea.”

The council member was approached multiple times for comments, but no response was received.