Police hope to maintain order as boisterous Dodgers fans celebrate World Series win
Law enforcement agencies on Wednesday night tried to maintain order in the L.A. area after the Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series with a 7-6 Game 5 victory over the New York Yankees and boisterous fans began to celebrate. Unruly fans set off fireworks near police in downtown Los Angeles, prompting police to declare an unlawful assembly.
Fans frequently congregate downtown and in East Los Angeles, where fireworks were ignited and cars performed burnouts on Whittier Boulevard after the Dodgers Game 1 win on Friday. To maintain safety, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol have been closing some intersections during and after World Series games in East LA.
Continuing that pattern, streets in the area of Whittier and Atlantic boulevards were closed Wednesday night even before the game ended. As of around 9:25 p.m. Wednesday, Whittier Boulevard remained open and was crowded with drivers cruising on the road between the 710 and 605 freeways to celebrate amid fireworks being set off and some vehicle burnouts, CBS Los Angeles reported. However, the road appeared to be partially blocked by fans near the Commerce Center shopping center.
Los Angeles Police declared the unlawful assembly around 9:35 p.m. in downtown Los Angeles after fireworks went off near officers. Dodgers fans had took to the streets to celebrate ahead of official celebrations planned for Friday morning, including a parade that will begin at City Hall.
Even before Game 5 ended on Wednesday, LAPD said on social media streets in the area around the L.A. Live entertainment venue were closed, as well as Figuero Street between between Olympic and Pico Boulevards. Los Angeles City Hall was lit in blue.
In a statement on Oct. 26 regarding World Series celebrations, the Sheriff’s Department said: “The Sheriff’s Department is committed to ensuring a safe environment for everyone. We will have an increased presence with specialized personnel monitoring celebrations throughout the county.”
“It is important to note that any illegal behavior, including public intoxication, vandalism, unlawful assembly, and other illegal activities will not be tolerated. Such actions can detract from the joy of the occasion and compromise the safety of our community. Individuals engaging in illegal conduct will be held accountable,” the LASD statement said.
During Wednesday’s Game 5, the Los Angeles Police Department on social media said: “Like many in Los Angeles, the members of the LAPD are hoping our Los Angeles Dodgers win game five of the world series tonight! If it happens, winning the MLB Championship is a cause for celebration, and the LAPD encourages you to please do so responsibly.”
“Although the game is taking place in New York, we expect gatherings, watch parties, and celebrations across Los Angeles. To accommodate anticipated gatherings, there will be several street closures throughout the city. Please plan accordingly and expect potential delays. If you feel like celebrating tonight, the LAPD urges you to celebrate safely and responsibly. A Dodgers win would be very exciting but driving drunk and ending up in jail is not. Please, if you plan to drink, do not drive,” the LAPD said on X.
Staff writers Andrea Klick and Ryanne Mena contributed to this story.