Candidates aiming to fill LA Council District 1 seat condemn the lack of work in the MacArthur Park area

In the last leg before the primary election on June 2, the MacArthur Park area in Los Angeles CD1 district has been on federal watch for the past weeks, with candidates opposing incumbent Eunises Hernandez voicing their concern. 

The latest arrest was on Friday morning, when First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli shared on X that convicted murderer Michael Angel Alvarez was working as a peace ambassador by a program that receives funds from the City of Los Angeles. 

He was arrested for allegedly having illegal possession of two body armor plates in the trunk of his vehicle. Essayli said the plates are from Las Vegas and are marketed as “the highest protection level available on the civilian market.”

Councilwoman Hernandez said in the past that “Peace Ambassadors are embedded in the communities they serve,” to gain the trust of families and have someone to trust outside of law enforcement and emergency response.

Outspoken opponent, Raul Claros, said people shouldn't have to put up with four more years of unresolved crises like MacArthur Park.

He also announced on Friday that he’s planning to drive his RV throughout the district day and night to greet potential constituents to hear their concerns, staying overnight by the MacArthur Park area on the weekend to identify and address the importance of swift change. 

“When I was the executive director of the Red Cross, we went into disaster zones. We [went] into times of crisis, and we never leave until the mission is accomplished,” he said, adding that this is where Hernandez is failing. 

Candidate and small business owner Nelson Grande, a CD1 native, condemned that a convicted murderer who has ties with the 18th Street gang was paid $58,000 from taxpayers money while working as a peace ambassador. 

“That same money could have gone to after-school programs, small business grants or community outreach run by people who are from these neighborhoods and actually accountable to them,” Grande said. “This is what happens when a council member prioritizes a program over the people it’s supposed to serve.” 

Grande said when he is elected to represent CD1 he will make sure that every organization receiving city dollars for public safety work gets vetted, monitored and held to real performance standards without exceptions. 

“Contracts get renewed based on results, not relationships. The people of our district deserve to know their money is working for them, not against them,” he said.

Convicted felon wasn’t part of the CD1 team

In response to the accusations, Hernandez’ office responded that Alvarez was removed from the Peace Ambassador program earlier this month after allegations of misconduct. 

“This individual is not, and has never been, an employee of Council District 1 or the City of Los Angeles,” the statement reads. “Our office works with established non-profit violence reduction organizations throughout Los Angeles to provide community intervention and violence prevention services.”

While Hernandez did not respond directly, her office said they will not allow allegations involving one former employee of a nonprofit organization to discredit an entire field of work and dedicated intervention workers.

“These trained, unarmed workers [who] conduct outreach, prevent violence, deescalate neighborhood conflicts are a proven, effective and indispensable part of the City’s public safety ecosystem,” Hernandez’ office said.

People can vote from now until June 2 by mail or in person at any available location. To find the closest voting center visit: https://locator.lavote.gov/locations/vc?culture=en