A new running group in Northeast Los Angeles is taking a unique approach to community safety. The N.E.L.A. Patrol Runners are actively monitoring neighborhoods for signs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity.
A Run with a Purpose
Formed in February, the group began as a response to increased anxiety in the area following recent ICE actions, including the detention of day laborers at a Cypress Park Home Depot and a food vendor in Highland Park last month. The runners, comprised of women, begin their patrols at 6 a.m., covering two to three miles at an 11- to 12-minute mile pace. During their runs through El Sereno, Cypress Park, Highland Park and Lincoln Heights, they scan for suspicious vehicles and check on local businesses and residents.
Founder Claudia Yanez, 30, explained that the idea came to her while running in her El Sereno neighborhood, where she found herself “unconsciously patrolling.” “If you live in areas targeted [by ICE], you’re already looking out,” Yanez said. The group’s mission is “to defend from ICE terrorism.”
Community-Based Safety
While other groups in Los Angeles, including Unión del Barrio and the Boyle Heights Immigrant Rights Network, engage in rapid response efforts, the N.E.L.A. Patrol Runners focus specifically on Northeast L.A. The group’s strategy involves documenting potential ICE activity and alerting neighbors, rather than direct intervention. If they spot something suspicious, they contact Unión del Barrio.
Yanez is actively seeking more runners, particularly men, to increase the group’s visibility and safety. “With a handful of runners, we’re also vulnerable,” she said. “When it’s a big group of people, especially if we’re actively patrolling, we require numbers so it could feel safer.”
Building Connections
Beyond monitoring for ICE activity, Yanez hopes the patrols will foster a stronger sense of community. “The more we do it, the more we obtain to know our neighbors,” she said, adding that she wants local vendors and residents to feel reassured knowing that people are “looking out for us.” The group’s efforts echo those of the Huntington Park Run Club, which has also focused on community advocacy and self-defense tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the N.E.L.A. Patrol Runners group do?
The N.E.L.A. Patrol Runners run through neighborhoods in Northeast L.A., scanning for suspicious vehicles and activity that could be related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
When did the group form?
The group formed in February, in response to heightened anxiety in the area following recent ICE actions.
Who founded the group?
Claudia Yanez, a 30-year-old resident of El Sereno, founded the group.
As communities navigate concerns about immigration enforcement, what role can grassroots initiatives play in fostering a sense of safety and solidarity?