It’s not unexpected that federal agents discovered armed gangs in MacArthur Park. However, it was a bit shocking to find out that one of them, Michael Angel Alvarez—also known as “Diablo”—was registered as a city employee under the title of “peace ambassador.”
At 41, Alvarez was arrested for possessing military-grade equipment and could face up to five years behind bars. In California, owning body armor isn’t illegal for most individuals, but it is for those with violent felony convictions.
And, well, Alvarez fits that description perfectly. He was convicted of first-degree murder back in 2002 and sentenced to serve 50 years, getting out after 24 years.
Councilwoman Eunice Hernandez, representing City Council District 1, which includes MacArthur Park, launched the Peace Ambassadors program in 2025. This initiative was part of her vision to “reimagine public safety.”
According to Hernandez’s district website, peace ambassadors are described as “unarmed workers with experience in the justice and gang systems and training in violence prevention and trauma-informed care.” Their role is intended to fill the void left by police.
The term “rethink,” adopted by the Black Lives Matter movement, emerged as a response to pushback against “defunding the police.” The idea is that local residents might effectively handle conflict better than officers.
Hernandez explains that these ambassadors “organize peace marches, vigils, holiday celebrations, and community cleanups,” all aimed at strengthening community ties and fostering healing.
Interestingly, Alvarez is affiliated with Healing Urban Barrios, one of two groups endorsed by Hernandez for the Peace Ambassadors initiative. The city allocated $450,000 to this group, which paid Alvarez $58,156 in 2025.
His arrest serves as a strong indication of the failures of Hernandez’s strategy for public safety, which, in many people’s opinions, has turned MacArthur Park into a hub of crime and disarray.
When convicted murderers are put in place of police officers, is there any surprise that neighborhoods are marred by violent crime, homelessness, and drug issues?
Additionally, this highlights the efforts of federal law enforcement, particularly Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Esseri, who has been working to restore order to this once-proud historic park.
Esseri and his team have initiated actions to clean up MacArthur Park and its surrounding streets. This long-awaited endeavor has also brought to light gang networks that stretch well beyond the park, reaching into affluent areas like Calabasas.
What communities need are police, not peace ambassadors—because it seems like there are already enough Diablos in the City of Angels.
