Man Identified in Repeated Dog Feces Vandalism at Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Youth Center, But Police Deem It Mere Littering

Staff at Mi SELA LGBTQ+, a youth center operated by the Latino Equality Alliance in Bell, California, have been removing bags of dog feces from the building's awning since June 2025. Dozens of such bags accumulated over seven months, requiring staff to climb ladders for cleanup.

In August 2025, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn provided a $2, 500 grant to Mi SELA to install upgraded security cameras, which later captured video of a man walking his dog and throwing a bag onto the awning. Bell Police Department identified the individual but determined no arrest or charges are possible, classifying the behavior as a littering offense that requires an officer to witness it firsthand for a citation.

Bell Police Chief Damien Velasco stated that consultations with city leaders and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed this assessment, noting no evidence of physical violence, property damage, or a specific motive tied to the center's LGBTQ+ affiliation. Former federal prosecutor Naema Rahmani explained that hate crime enhancements typically require underlying violence or property destruction to establish motivation.

On January 14, 2026, Mi SELA hosted a public cleanup and press conference to address the vandalism. Latino Equality Alliance Executive Director Eddie Martinez described the acts as "targeted vandalism"but emphasized compassion, stating, "While we're deeply saddened by the targeted vandalism at our Mi SELA center, we refuse to let hate define our community." He added that the organization remains "rooted in our core values of compassion and restorative justice."

Martinez invited the man to "step forward, offer an apology, and engage in a dialogue for healing, "framing the event as "reclaiming our space." "Our goal is to transform this moment of hostility into an opportunity for education and partnership, "Martinez said, underscoring the center's dedication to making Southeast Los Angeles "a safe, healthy, and welcoming home for the LGBTQ youth, families, and immigrants."

Hahn's office, through spokesperson Matthew Johnson, urged a hate crime investigation, calling the incidents "hateful, disgusting, and must stop, "rejecting normalization of such acts. Mi SELA provides mental health support, substance abuse counseling, legal services, and workshops for the Latine LGBTQ+ community.

This case unfolds against a backdrop of record-high anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in Los Angeles, with 102 anti-transgender incidents in 2024, 95 percent involving violence. Center staff have attempted contact with the man and plan civil action if the vandalism persists. Video footage from CBS Los Angeles and KTLA confirms the ongoing issue and police stance.