An epic comeback in Game 5 of the World Series helped the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees 7-6 on Wednesday, October 30th. Drowning in champagne in the locker room, the Dodgers celebrated their eighth World Series crown in franchise history, winning 4-1 over the Yankees. Hours later, the streets of downtown would once again turn into mayhem.
The aftermath on the morning of October 31st was harrowing. The charred frame of a Metro transit bus, torched amidst the cheers of the night before, stood as a stark reminder of the chaos. News reports focused on mass looting, street takeovers, and at least one hand being blown to bits.
Social media was flooded with videos showing hundreds of energized people taking over the streets, met by a forceful police response involving riot gear, flash grenades, tear gas, and loudspeakers. It was a chilling echo of the scenes that unfolded after the Lakers’ 2023 World Championship victory.
The morning after, the city now bore the scars of the night’s excesses with an eerie calm that hung over the city, punctuated by the spray of illegible graffiti that marred downtown’s most iconic facades.
The echoes of celebration had given way to the grumbles of weary neighbors, their peace shattered by the riotous night. Many wondered when the revelry would give way to respect, when the realization would dawn that the city still hadn’t learned the balance between joy and respect for its residents.
In the end, the people returned to their homes, and the fireworks ran out. Broadway’s fresh Nike Air store was heavily looted. Graffiti clean was underway, and the Metro Bus that seems to always take one for the team was towed and reported to insurance.
And then came talk of a parade.
Residential anxiety set in as news of the Dodgers ticket parade street closures began to spread and what effect the parade would have on traffic.
Would there be reason for the news to report a less than worthy recap, or would downtown once again show the world that, with the proper planning and mutual respect, it could produce a mass evident safe for all? History would mark that answer down as a yes. The historic Dodger Ticket Parade event took place without incident, with the exception of a man almost falling to his death from a two-story parking lot and a minor caught misspelling “DoGders” after being hoisted by the crowd up a street post.
In true DTLA fashion, downtown would welcome over 100,000 more appreciative fans, with Mayor Karen Bass kicking off the parade and a caravan led by shirtless, Budweiser-drinking Dodgers, hyping up the humongous crowds from Grand Park to 5th and Flower.
Which way to the exit?
And so, the city was left to ponder the duality of its nature: a place of unbridled joy and devastating chaos. As the dust settled, it remained to be seen whether the lessons of this tumultuous night would be learned or if the cycle of celebration and destruction would continue to repeat itself.
DTLA Weekly congratulates the Los Angeles Dodgers on a magical 2024 season.
