Price Tag For LA Riots Keeps Climbing As City Faces Budget Implosion

The cost to taxpayers of Los Angeles’ anti-deportation riots has risen to more than $32 million as the city faces a looming budget crisis, according to a city official.

The price tag climbed by another $12 million after local media reported $20 million in expenses from the riots on June 17, Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia in a Friday X post. Simultaneously, city officials are debating how to resolve a $1 billion budget shortfall for the coming fiscal year.

More than $29 million of the riot costs stem from police duties, while property damage, loss of tourism and other factors contributed, Mejia said. Los Angeles Fire Department services account for more than $1.1 million of the costs, according to Mejia.

Authorities in Los Angeles have made hundreds of arrests on charges such as obstructing law enforcement, vandalism and attempted murder, and authorities used equipment such as tear gas and flashbangs to try to control the situation. Rioters were also seen lighting private and police vehicles on fire.