When Dodgers fans took to the streets Wednesday night to celebrate the team’s World Series victory over the Yankees, some revelers went too far: businesses were looted and a bus was set on fire.
Los Angeles police confirmed that 12 people were arrested for looting, vandalism and a DUI crash during the evening’s festivities, which led into Thursday morning.
A Metro bus was vandalized and then set on fire near the intersection of Echo Park Avenue and West Sunset Boulevard around 12:50 p.m.
According to Metro, the bus driver and five passengers had been safely evacuated before the fire. “Metro is disappointed and angered by the senseless act of vandalism on one of our buses following the Dodgers World Series victory earlier this evening,” the agency said.
From downtown Los Angeles to Echo Park, Los Angeles Police Department officers issued several dispersal orders to the hustle and bustle.
The first dispersal order was announced at 10 p.m. after large crowds gathered at Sunset Boulevard and Douglas Street near Dodger Stadium.
“We know you want to celebrate the Dodgers World Series win, but please don’t go to downtown LA,” the LAPD posted on social media.
“Many streets are closed in downtown LA and traffic will be severely affected. Please celebrate responsibly.”
The sky in East Los Angeles lit up with fireworks and the department’s Central Division reported that a number of businesses near LA Live, including a Nike store, in downtown Los Angeles had been looted.
Another dispersal order was issued at Ninth and Flower streets due to an unlawful assembly and a hostile crowd throwing fireworks and projectiles at police officers, the LAPD said.
Later, a tactical alert was issued for the entire city. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said it was a very small segment of the East Los Angeles community that engaged in property destruction and violence.
“Unfortunately, we had a number of pockets across the province where we faced some challenges, and unfortunately we also made some arrests,” Luna said. “I want to remind our community that as we continue the celebrations, we must celebrate and respect the victory the Dodgers achieved by behaving responsibly.”
