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AROUND TOWN - On June 30 and again on July 5, Los Angeles Council District 1 Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, hosted two World Cup Watch Community Events at Sycamore Grove Park in the Arroyo Seco/Highland Park area of Northeast Los Angeles.
Both events were true community celebrations centered around families, soccer, and neighborhood pride.
On June 30, fans gathered to watch Norway take on Ivory Coast, followed by Mexico versus Ecuador. Families arrived early, bringing lawn chairs, blankets, picnic meals, and even infants to enjoy the festivities together.
One of the most notable aspects of both events was the complete absence of alcohol.
Before the June 30 matches began, one individual attempted to enter the park pushing a cart containing several bottles of hard liquor. Officers from the LAPD Northeast Division, including several Senior Lead Officers, handled the situation professionally and respectfully, escorting the individual from the park without incident.
Throughout the day, spectators proudly waved flags, blew horns and noisemakers, and wore jerseys and clothing representing the countries they were cheering for. Most attendees were Hispanic and Latino families celebrating their shared love of soccer.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, attendance at both events was estimated at between 3,000 and 4,000 people.
Community Support
Council District 1 Senior Field Deputy Elena Chavez arrived at the park between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m. on each event day to oversee preparations. She coordinated more than 30 vendors and community organizations, ensuring each had tables and chairs. She also arranged for food trucks, ice cream vendors, and merchandise booths to serve attendees throughout the day.
Between matches on June 30, families enjoyed live entertainment featuring young folklórico dancers followed by a Mariachi performance.
Councilmember Hernandez later joined the festivities on stage, thanking everyone for attending before surprising the crowd by singing several well-known Mexican songs with the Mariachi musicians. Many in attendance enthusiastically joined in, creating one of the day's most memorable moments.
The June 30 match results were:
- Norway 2, Ivory Coast 1
- Mexico 2, Ecuador 0
Neighborhood Councils Participate
Several local organizations also participated in the event.
Representing the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council were President Lynda Valencia, Second Vice President Natalie Seaman, and Roy Payan, representative for Montecito Heights.
The Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council was represented by President Darren Gold, Budget and Finance Chair Kevin Guico, Public Safety Chair Caroline Aguirre, and community resident Oliver Netburn.
July 5 Matches Draw Another Large Crowd
The celebration continued on July 5 with another pair of exciting World Cup matches.
The results were:
- Norway 2, Brazil 1
- England 3, Mexico 2
Although Mexico fell to England, fans continued cheering proudly for their team throughout the evening.
Like the June 30 event, the July 5 gathering concluded without any significant incidents.
The author extends special recognition to Senior Lead Officer Antonio Vargas and Acting Senior Lead Officer Hainer Hernandez, and the many other officers from the LAPD Northeast Division whose positive interactions helped make the events safe and welcoming for everyone.
A Model Community Event
Despite attracting thousands of people, these two World Cup watch parties received little television news coverage.
That is unfortunate.
These may have been among the most successful World Cup community events held anywhere in California. Nearly 4,000 adults and children gathered side by side in a festive, family-oriented atmosphere. There was no alcohol consumption, no disorder, and no significant public safety issues.
The events demonstrated what can happen when local government, community organizations, and law enforcement work together to create positive experiences for residents.
Congratulations and thank you to Council District 1, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the LAPD Northeast Division, our Latino/Hispanic community of Northeast Los Angles and surrounding communities of Alhambra, Pasadena, South Pasadena and El Sereno, the many volunteers, and everyone who helped make these community celebrations such a success.
(Caroline Aguirre is a retired 24-year State of California law enforcement officer, LAPD family member, community activist and Neighborhood Watch captain. Aguirre is a CityWatch contributor.)
