Mayor Bass Faces Scrutiny Over Swift Graffiti Removal on Dirt Lot Amid Broader LA Vandalism Concerns

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing renewed criticism regarding the city's graffiti removal efforts, following a social media post by reality TV personality Spencer Pratt highlighting a seemingly rapid cleanup on a specific dirt lot. Pratt's observation has fueled public debate about the city's response to widespread vandalism across Los Angeles.

Spencer Pratt took to X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, "> Graffiti covers the entire city, but somehow Karen Bass got the artwork on this dirt lot covered in a matter of days? The owner did not have it painted, so one must assume the Mayor couldn’t handle the criticism." This tweet, accompanied by a photo, suggests a targeted and unusually swift response to graffiti in one location while other areas remain heavily tagged.

Mayor Bass launched the "Shine LA" initiative in April 2025, a city-wide clean-up program designed to involve volunteers in graffiti removal, tree planting, and litter pickup. This program is part of a broader strategy to revitalize the city in preparation for major upcoming events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.

Despite these efforts, the initiative has garnered mixed reactions, with some critics dismissing it as a "photo op" rather than a comprehensive solution. Earlier in June, Mayor Bass was filmed scrubbing graffiti from the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, an act that many social media users described as a "calculated PR move" due to her perceived ineffective cleaning technique.

The city has grappled with extensive vandalism, particularly following anti-ICE protests in June 2025, which resulted in significant tagging across downtown Los Angeles. Mayor Bass acknowledged the severity of the problem during a press conference, stating that the graffiti was "so extensive it’s going to take community-wide involvement" to clean up. She also signed an executive directive to improve city services like graffiti removal and pothole repair, aiming for faster response times.

Pratt, known for his vocal concerns about crime in Los Angeles, has contributed to an ongoing public discussion about the city's effectiveness in addressing urban blight. His recent tweet underscores the persistent challenge of graffiti and the public's demand for consistent and equitable cleanup efforts across all neighborhoods.