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Podcasts Take Two
LA residents reclaim some city parks from gang control
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Feb 10, 2015
Listen • 9:35
LA residents reclaim some city parks from gang control
LA residents in some gang-plagued neighborhoods are starting to reclaim city parks, a sign that gangs may be receding from public life.
A view of the MacArthur Park lake.
A view of the MacArthur Park lake.
(
Corey Bridwell/KPCC
)

LA residents in some gang-plagued neighborhoods are starting to reclaim city parks, a sign that gangs may be receding from public life.

Gang dominance of Los Angeles parks has receded in recent years and that's created an opening for local residents to reclaim public space in some working class neighborhoods.

That's the observation of journalist Sam Quinones, who has been reporting on gangs in Southern California for years, and has recently spent time in the changing parks.

But is this the mark of permanent change or just a sign of the latest shift in gang violence?

READ MORE: A change in the landscape: L.A.'s parks no longer belong to street gangs, Los Angeles Times