Changing’s Deli will remain open in the middle of the improvements of the MacArthur park, for the moment

Norm Langer supports recent work in the city of Los Angeles to fight against crime in MacArthur park, and although the closure of the charcuterie of his changing is not out of the table, he says that he decided to stay for a little while.

Seven months ago, Langer told Times that he planned to close his 77 -year -old historic establishment due to drug activity, crime and camps in the region than he and other business owners had been tired of treating.

The effects of these problems are still felt, noted the 80 -year -old businessman.

At 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Langer told Times that he had nine tables and six empty counter seats; Over the past years, there would have been a line of customers coming out.

What keeps customers remotely, he said, is the crime and the reports that follow. The public has the right to know what’s going on, said changing, as six people were injured by gunshots during a shooting linked to a macadur park gang in January. But “the next day, people hear this, and they are afraid.”

“I have to try to convince people … that he is sure to come here,” he said.

However, in March, the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, praised a “significant” change for MacArthur Park, and Langer agrees.

The Los Angeles Police Service increased foot patrols in the neighborhood and has deployed workers and mental health awareness to help these drugs on drugs. The officials also installed fences along the Alvarado Street in an effort, they said, to slow down the sale of stolen goods – including drugs and firearms – by certain street vendors.

There are owners of companies and community leaders who do not agree with the approach that city officials adopt to cancel crime, said Lange. But he said he saw and appreciates the police presence.

“They do their part with what they have,” he said. “The problem here, as far as I see it, the city in all areas is underworld.”

He therefore practiced patience, noting that the city had to concentrate resources on the emergency response to the fires of Palisades and Eaton which ravaged certain parts of Los Angeles in January. While standing under its previous declarations on the closure possibly, “I give the city the opportunity to solve (these problems), to which I think they are entitled.”

In the meantime, he said changing, he is looking for his piece in the neighborhood.

Customers who wish to attend Changing’s Deli can park in the company’s field at the northeast corner of the 7th Street and Westlake Avenue, where Langer said that he was putting a service attendant as a security measure.

“I want the street on the 7th rue de Westlake in Alvarado Clean so that my customers can come to my (restaurant), eat, enjoy, relax and return to their car without having to worry,” he said. “That’s all I ask my city.”

Last month, police chief Jim McDonnell said that in all categories of crimes, including real estate crime, there had been a global reduction of 42% since December.

Changing said he was eager to see more progress; As for the question of how long he will keep his doors open, his goal is to manage his business for the three main sports championships in Los Angeles: the FIFA World Cup in 2026, the Super Bowl LXL in 2027 and the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

The staff editor Nathan Solis contributed to this report.