Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP / Getty Images
Downtown Los Angeles is confronting a brazen act of vandalism that has left its streets diminished and its residents incensed. On the weekend of April 19, 2025, multiple outlets reported around a dozen mature trees along prominent streets, such as South Grand Avenue and 5th Street, were deliberately felled with a chainsaw. These trees were vital to the city’s aesthetic and environmental health--providing shade for people, and habitats for birds and small animals--and their destruction has resonated deeply with the community.
On Saturday morning, downtown residents discovered a troubling scene: Felled trees, their trunks severed or partially chopped, scattered across sidewalks. Social media platforms were flooded with images of the destruction, sparking widespread condemnation.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the vandalism, seen by many as emblematic of wider urban issues facing the community, has prompted calls for accountability from local leaders and residents alike.
“This has struck a chord,” said Cassy Horton, a 37-year-old downtown resident and board member of the Downtown Los Angeles Residents Association, per the LA Times. “It’s kind of an ‘Enough is enough,’” she added.
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested a suspect, 44-year-old Samuel Patrick Groft, on Tuesday following tips from the public and surveillance footage. Authorities allege Groft conducted a multi-day campaign of destruction, targeting at least 11 trees not only in downtown but also in the Glassell Park and Westlake neighborhoods. The financial toll for just eight of the damaged trees is estimated at $347,000, with Groft reportedly apprehended in possession of a chainsaw. His bail has been set at $150,000, according to the LAPD arrest record.
The loss of these trees extends beyond aesthetics. Downtown Los Angeles has faced significant challenges in recent years, including vacant office spaces, economic recovery hurdles, and ongoing concerns about homelessness. The felled trees, which provided shade in a neighborhood that is largely devoid of green space, mitigated stormwater runoff and supported local wildlife, and were vital to creating a welcoming urban environment. Their destruction has compounded frustrations among residents, of which there is an estimated 85,000-100,000 people, as well as business owners striving to revitalize the area.
Paul Kaufman, a downtown small-business owner, told the Times, “There are some areas of progress, but it seems very halting. ... The real thing to make downtown work and feel safer is to have more people there.” The loss of greenery, he noted, subverts efforts to make the area more appealing to visitors and locals alike.
Investigators are still exploring Groft’s motives, with his prior arrest record raising questions about the intent behind the spree. Mayor Karen Bass’s office issued a statement calling the vandalism “beyond comprehension,” and residents are pressing for answers about how such extensive damage was allowed to happen.
Compounding the issue is the city’s strained budget. Mayor Bass’s proposed 2025-26 fiscal plan, released this week, faces a nearly $1 billion deficit, which could lead to reduced funding for tree-planting initiatives and maintenance staff. Replacing the destroyed trees will require significant resources, posing a challenge for a city already stretched thin.
Despite these setbacks, the Downtown Los Angeles Residents Association and community advocates are doubling down on efforts to restore and expand the urban canopy. Horton and others are calling for increased investment in green spaces to ensure a safer, more sustainable downtown. As the city moves forward, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting its natural assets.