2028 Olympics Could Lead to Increased Surveillance, Displacement of Unhoused People, Expert Warns

Context The upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics bring a focus not just on athletic achievement but also on the ethical considerations of hosting such a massive event. Organizing the Games often presents complex challenges for host cities, impacting local populations and resources. Ethical questions, often overlooked in the initial planning, include the social impact on residents, the allocation of city budgets, and the potential for disruption.

Key Facts Professor William Morgan, an expert in occupational science and occupational therapy, warns of heightened police surveillance preceding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He states this increased presence aims to conceal visible poverty and homelessness from public view, infringing on personal freedoms and potentially leading to evictions. Morgan observed that authorities typically prefer not to display unhoused people, impoverished communities, or dilapidated areas during such high-profile events. This raises concerns about how the city will manage its public image versus its existing social challenges.

This concern is not without precedent. During the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, city officials conducted sweeps of unhoused individuals in South Central Los Angeles. A police captain at the time publicly stated these efforts aimed to "sanitize the area." This historical parallel suggests a recurring strategy to manage perceptions when host cities prepare for international events.

What It Means Such strategies offer no substantive solutions to homelessness, instead prioritizing a clean public image. This focus on cosmetic changes over addressing systemic issues creates significant ethical dilemmas for cities hosting major events. It highlights a tension between showcasing a pristine facade and managing existing social challenges, often at the expense of vulnerable populations. These actions, Morgan suggests, represent a superficial approach rather than a meaningful effort to solve complex social problems. The public will closely observe the implementation of these strategies and their impact on civil liberties as Los Angeles prepares for the Games.