Unsettling “HELP” signs were discovered in a Los Angeles shipping container yard, sparking widespread concern and conversation. Social media users noticed cryptic messages on satellite imagery, including phrases like “HELP,” “FEDERAL,” “L-A-P-D” and “TRAFICO.”
Screenshots of the site quickly spread online after they were initially spotted on Google Maps. The word “HELP” is spelled out using old pipes and large pieces of wood. Nearby, phrases like “FBI” and “TERRORISMO”—Spanish for “terrorism”—were etched into the dirt.
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The eerie display prompted the esports and entertainment organization FaZe Clan to visit the site during a Twitch livestream. Their investigation turned chaotic when guard dogs chased them off the property.
Investigation and public response
FaZe Clan also tried speaking to people at the encampment but was quickly turned away. However, an X user known as @LAGuy shared his own interview, suggesting a man named Jose created the messages, someone in the area for years.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they had been in contact with Jose, stating, “He has refused housing or a mental health evaluation. There is no evidence of human trafficking.”
Union Pacific, the company that owns the site, also responded in a statement to Straight Arrow News. “Photos circulating on Google Maps that show the word ‘HELP’ on Union Pacific property were created about a year ago. No one was or is in danger. A man trespassed on Union Pacific and other nearby properties to repeatedly create these misleading messages. It is illegal — and unsafe — to trespass on Union Pacific property,” the company said.
Trafficking concerns in Los Angeles
Although the signs are unrelated to trafficking, they highlight a growing problem in Los Angeles. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking reports that 20% of homeless youth in California have experienced trafficking. Of those, 14% were subjected to sex trafficking.
In 2018, California reported more than 1,200 cases of sex trafficking, according to the Department of Justice. Los Angeles remains a hotspot for trafficking due to its population size and major transportation hubs.
Skepticism remains
Some social media users argue that the size and visibility of the signs make them unlikely to be genuine cries for help. They also believe such obvious displays would put someone seeking assistance at greater risk.
The site, located in a construction area, is home to several displaced individuals.
