Pershing Square Business Leaders, Residents Complain About Messy Occupy LA Protestors
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Some business leaders and residents have complained about open drug use, excessive graffiti and human waste of Occupy Los Angeles protestors in Pershing Square.
When members of the Occupy movement were driven out of City Hall park last November, Occupy L.A. moved to Pershing Square to conduct its regular protest planning meeting.
Some demonstrators used chalk to communicate their messages, which resulted in brawls with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Critics claim the demonstrators are causing major damage in the city, which is resulting in pricy clean-up costs.
"There is a lot of drug use," said Councilman Jose Huizar.
Huizar said a Pershing Square Task Force has been formed, which includes business and community leaders, police, and various city departments
"We're getting more foot patrols by LAPD, our contracted security force will now start making citizens arrests, and we are also going to clean the park more often," said Huizar.
KCAL9's Randy Paige spoke with members of the Occupy movement who said they have no problem with police patrolling the area and keeping the peace. Their one complaint was that there are no operable restrooms in the park. They said the nearby businesses will not allow them to use the restrooms inside the stores.
