(The Center Square) – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has lifted the dusk-to-dawn downtown curfew, effective immediately.
Bass announced the end of the curfew Tuesday. She started the nightly curfew June 10 after downtown L.A. experienced riots, vandalism and looting following protests against mass U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. The protests began June 6.
After the curfews started, a decrease was reported in vandalism, violence and looting. Most of the nightly arrests were for curfew violations.
“The curfew, coupled with ongoing crime prevention efforts, have been largely successful in protecting stores, restaurants, businesses and residential communities from bad actors who do not care about the immigrant community,” Bass said in a news release Tuesday.
Bass added the city will continue to adapt “to the chaos” coming from Washington, D.C., and that she was ready to bring back the curfew if necessary.
“My priority will continue to be ensuring safety, stability and support in the Downtown neighborhoods,” Bass said.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell described the curfews as “an effective tool” in helping police maintain public safety.
“The LAPD will maintain a strong presence in the area and continue to monitor conditions closely to protect lives, uphold the right to lawful assembly, and safeguard property,” McDonnell said.
Bass, meanwhile, hasn’t explained why she didn’t call for the curfews sooner.
In Tuesday’s news release, the mayor’s office said more than 15 protests took place across Los Angeles on Saturday, which was dedicated to “No Kings” rallies across the U.S. More than 30,000 people protested peacefully against the Trump administration’s policies, according to the office.
