Norm Langer supports the recent work of the city of Los Angeles to combat the crime in MacArthur Park, and although closing the Deli of his Langer is not out of the table, he says he has decided to stay for a while.
Seven months ago, Langer told The Times that he was considering closing his historic 77 -year -old establishment due to drug activity, crime and camps in the area with which he and other business owners had tired of trying.
The effects of these problems still feel, said the 80 -year -old businessman.
At 12:15 pm on Tuesday, Langer told The Times that he had nine tables and six empty counter seats; In past years, there would have been a line of customers dating the door.
What keeps customers at bay is crime and news reports that follow. The public has the right to know what is happening, Langer said, as when six people were shot by a shooting related to gang in MacArthur Park in January. But “the next day, people listen to that, and are afraid.”
“I have to try to convince people … that it is sure to come here,” he said.
However, in March, the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, promoted a “significant” change for MacArthur Park, and Langer agrees.
The Los Angeles Police Department increased feet patrols in the neighborhood and deployed workers and mental health dissemination equipment to help those drug overdose. The authorities also installed fencing along Alvarado Street in an effort, they said, to stop the sale of stolen products, including drugs and weapons, by some street vendors.
There are some business owners and community leaders who do not agree with the approach that city officials are adopting to cancel the crime, Langer said. But he said he sees and appreciates the police presence.
“They are doing their part with what they have,” he said. “The problem here, as far as I see, the city in all areas has no resources.”
Then he is practicing patience, noting that the city has had to focus the resources on the emergency response to the fires of Palisades and Eaton that devastated parts of Los Angeles in January. While they are standing next to their previous statements about the closure, “I am giving the city the opportunity to fix [these issues]I think they are entitled. ”
Meanwhile, said Langer, he is looking for his part of the neighborhood.
Customers who want to sponsor Langer's Delicatessen store can park in the business lot in the 7th Street and Westlake Avenue corner, where Langer said he put a service assistant as a security measure.
“I want the street in 7th Street from Westlake to Alvarado Clean so that my clients can come to me [restaurant]Eat, enjoy, relax and return to your car without having to worry, “he said.” That is all I ask my city. ”
Last month, police chief Jim McDonnell said that in all categories of crimes, including crimes against property, there was a general reduction of 42% since December.
Langer said he is anxious to see more progress; As for the question of how long it will keep its doors open, its objective is to manage its business for the three main sports championships that arrive in Los Angeles: the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Super Bowl LXL in 2027 and the Summer Olympic Games 2028.
The Times staff writer, Nathan Solis, contributed to this report.
