Re “Pan Pacific Park playground damaged in fire,” July 21 issue

A few years ago, a transient painted swastikas in his own blood at one of the children’s playgrounds at Pan Pacific Park [and] a nearby restroom used daily by children had blood splattered everywhere. At the time, there were proposals to open a homeless center at the park.

Our concerns of the already existing crime with transients at the park were ignored and at the start of COVID, and the park gymnasium was turned into a homeless center, attracting even more crime. After the homeless program finally closed, many of the transients remained at the park. Our complaints of drug and alcohol use, open fires and vandalism continued to be ignored by both the Department of Recreation and Parks and the LAPD.

One of the children’s playgrounds was totally destroyed [on July 12] by a fire allegedly started by transients living in the park. Murders, shootings, follow-home robberies, armed robberies and arson have become commonplace in our community.  The LAPD has advised residents not to drive expensive cars or wear expensive watches to avoid being victims of crime in our neighborhood. Apparently, we should also keep our children out of Pan Pacific Park. Is that the kind community we want to live in?

Robert Cherno

Fairfax District