The City of Angels has too many ‘Diablos’ – Latest News
It’s not shocking that federal brokers would discover an armed gangster at MacArthur Park. What is surprising — maybe — is studying that he’s on the town payroll as a “Peace Ambassador.”
Michael Angel Alvarez, 41, a.okay.a. “Diablo,” was arrested for possession of military-grade armor, which carries a potential five-year sentence. It’s not unlawful for many people to own physique armor in California — but it surely’s unlawful for people who’ve been convicted of a violent felony.
And “Diablo” suits the invoice. He was convicted of first-degree homicide in 2002 and sentenced to 50 years. He was launched after 24 years.
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents Council District 1, the place MacArthur Park is situated, launched the “Peace Ambassadors” in 2025 as half of her dedication to “reimagining public safety.”
Michael Angel Alvarez, 41, a.okay.a. “Diablo,” was arrested for possession of military-grade armor, which carries a potential five-year sentence. FBI Los Angeles
The Peace Ambassadors are “unarmed workers who have lived experience in the justice or gang systems and are trained in violence prevention and trauma-informed care,” in line with Hernandez’s district web site. Ringo Chiu for California Post
The time period “reimagining” was adopted by the Black Lives Matter motion when “defund the police” bumped into political opposition. The thought behind the “Peace Ambassadors” is to exchange police with neighborhood members who can supposedly defuse conflicts.
The Peace Ambassadors are “unarmed workers who have lived experience in the justice or gang systems and are trained in violence prevention and trauma-informed care,” in line with Hernandez’s district web site.
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“They help organize peace marches, vigils, holiday celebrations and community clean-ups. These efforts strengthen community ties and promote healing.”
“Diablo” is a component of an group known as “Healing Urban Barrios,” one of two teams that Hernandez touted as half of the Peace Ambassadors program.
The metropolis paid the group $450,000, and “Diablo” earned $58,156 in 2025.
“Diablo” is a component of an group known as “Healing Urban Barrios,” one of two teams that Hernandez touted as half of the Peace Ambassadors program. AP
His arrest is an indictment of Hernandez’s terrible strategy to public security, which has allowed MacArthur Park to deteriorate into a den of criminality and dirt.
When you exchange police officers with convicted murderers, it’s no surprise that the neighborhood suffers from violent crime, homelessness, medicine and basic squalor.
The arrest can be a vindication of federal law enforcement efforts, led by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who has centered on cleansing up the once-proud and historic park.
Essayli, along with different federal and native law enforcement companies, have begun cleansing up MacArthur Park and the encompassing streets.
It is an effort that was long overdue — and that has additionally uncovered networks of gangs that operate far past the park itself, as far-off as the luxury suburban streets of Calabasas.
We need police, not Peace Ambassadors. The City of Angels already has far too many “Diablos.”
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