Violence, looting erupt in LA after Dodgers win World Series

Firefighters douse water on a bus that was set on fire at Sunset and Echo Park after people gathered on the streets after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees to win the baseball World Series early Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

LOS ANGELES – Spontaneous celebrations that erupted across the city following the Dodgers’ World Series victory were marred early Thursday as some people became unruly, looting several businesses and torching a Metro bus in the Echo Park area.

The bus was set ablaze around 12:50 a.m. near Echo Park Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. The bus was completely destroyed, leaving only the frame remaining.

“Metro is disappointed and angered by the senseless act of vandalism on one of our buses following the Dodgers’ World Series win,” Metro Communications Director Dave Sotero said in an email to City News Service. “We are thankful that the bus operator and the five passengers were safely evacuated before the bus was set on fire.”

Fans celebrate on the streets after the Los Angeles Dodgers won against the New York Yankees in the baseball World Series Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The Los Angeles Police Department‘s Central Division reported a number of businesses near L.A. Live — including a Nike store — were looted and police arrested several of the suspected looters.

The windows of the building in downtown Los Angeles where the Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse is located were tagged with graffiti, including an obscenity related to the Dodgers’ World Series victory over the New York Yankees, according to video from the scene.

At Ninth and Flower streets, a dispersal order was issued due to an unlawful assembly and a hostile crowd that was throwing fireworks and projectiles at police officers, according to the LAPD.

A person carries out items from a ransacked Nike store after the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees to win the baseball World Series Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

A citywide tactical alert was later issued, allowing the department to keep officers on duty beyond their normal shifts to ensure there is enough staffing to any incidents that may arise.

There were several instances of street takeovers, with cars doing doughnuts and burnouts.

At least 12 people were arrested in connection with the various instances of unrest, according to various reports.

“Arrests were made unfortunately following instances of violence and destruction last night and LAPD (investigations) are ongoing to hold accountable people who were involved,” Mayor Karen Bass said Thursday morning.

Fans celebrate on the streets after the Los Angeles Dodgers won against the New York Yankees in the baseball World Series Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

“However, the overwhelming majority of the celebrations last night were joyful and peaceful, and I want to thank the many Angelenos who celebrated peacefully.”

Crowds of people poured into the streets in many areas following the Dodgers’ World Series-clinching Game 5 victory over the Yankees Wednesday night.

A large crowd of people gathered near Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard near L.A. Live in the downtown area, with some people setting off fireworks. The Los Angeles Police Department eventually issued a dispersal order and declared the gathering an unlawful assembly.

Around 10 p.m. Wednesday, dispersal orders were issued at Sunset Boulevard and Vin Scully Avenue, near an entrance to Dodger Stadium, and later at the nearby intersection of Sunset and Douglas Street.

“We know you want to celebrate the Dodgers World Series win, but please do not head to the downtown LA area,” the LAPD posted on social media Wednesday night. “There are many streets closed in the downtown LA area and traffic will be heavily impacted. Please celebrate responsibly.”

In anticipation of possible gatherings, police had earlier announced the closure of Figueroa Street between Olympic and Pico boulevards, as well as other streets around the L.A. Live area. The Sixth Street Bridge, a popular street-takeover spot, was also closed.

In East Los Angeles, where Dodger celebrations have occurred in the past, including some street and intersection takeovers, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies were out in full force. Multiple intersections on Whittier Boulevard were blocked to traffic, but crowds of fans began pouring into some streets waving flags and igniting fireworks, regardless of the law enforcement presence.

By 10 p.m., hundreds of people had moved onto Whittier Boulevard. Some waved flags while fireworks continued shooting into the air. One person could be seen on top of a car in the street.

Aerial footage from the scene showed at least one truck doing doughnuts at an intersection in the area, while a large crowd of people stood nearby.

Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday some arrests were made, but he did not provide any specific numbers.

“Last night we were on full alert we had additional staff out to make sure that people in Los Angeles County celebrated safely and responsibly, and I am happy to report that the majority of our community members, true Dodger fans, celebrated in that manner,” Luna said. “Unfortunately we did have a couple of pockets throughout the county where we had some challenges.

And unfortunately we did make some arrests.

“And I want to remind our community that as we continue the celebration that we have to celebrate and respect the win the Dodgers made by behaving responsibly,” he said. “When you go out and celebrate, do not use illegal fireworks.

Do not go out and close down intersections and take them over and have cars spinning around. We saw some of that last night. It is extremely dangerous activity.” (CNS)