People who live and work in the Rampart area say they want police to be strong without violating rights. The attitude is that people trust the jury. Rampart Division, roughly eight square miles of intensely urban turf west and north of downtown Los Angeles, including MacArthur Park, has long been troubled by gang battles and drug sales.
Police remain relatively popular in some circles there as a bulwark against gangs.
Mary Guela, who owns a newspaper and magazine stand near MacArthur Park, said she knows most of the Rampart officers involved in the case and supports them without reservation. I can't talk bad about the cops because imagine what it would be like around here without them. I just hope and pray the police don't stop doing their jobs, that's the big concern. They have to continue to be professional and not back off. During an afternoon roll call, Capt.