Jose, a homeless guy has been identified as the person who wrote the help messages signs in Los Angeles
The disturbing messages carved into the ground that sent conspiracy theorists online into a frenzy have been clarified by Los Angeles neighbours.
The controversy started when Google Earth users saw multiple examples of the word “HELP” made from various materials on the ground of what appeared to be a Los Angeles storage or dumping site. This location, which is far from Los Angeles City Hall, is next to the Union Pacific Railroad and next to a cargo pier.
Who is Jose, homeless guy who wrote ‘Help’, ‘LAPD’ and ‘TRAFFICO’ signs in Los Angeles and messages location coordinates
The signs are located at 3403’18’N 11813’30’W, between the Los Angeles River, North Mission Road, and E Cesar E Chavez Avenue, according to media.
Located at the Union Pacific railroad yard are the letters constructed from wood and old pipes near rows of shipping containers and many homeless people live at the intersection of E Cesar Chavez Ave and Mission Road.
I just visited the site of the viral“HELP” sign in Los Angeles.@LAguy310 talked to transients claiming this was done by the homeless person looking for their lost dog. Follow @LAguy310 for updates! pic.twitter.com/j6O7yoFYPj
— Aldo 🌞 (@AldoButtazzoni) January 27, 2025
The unsettling messages discovered scribbled on the ground that sent the internet into a conspiratorial spiral were explained by residents of Los Angeles.
Words like “LAPD,” “FEDERAL,” and “FBI,” as well as “TRAFFICO” (traffic) and “TERRORISMO” (terrorism), were also prominently displayed, causing conjecture.
Even elements that resembled trenches or tunnel entrances were observed by cyber detectives, who speculated that these might be used in illicit activities.
Locals who visited the location attest that the unsettling messages are still there, despite the fact that the Google Earth images are not new.
Ok so apparently Jose is writing all the HELP signs and the dog is named SUS…a boy named SUS pic.twitter.com/ffkzkkLGwM
— LAguy (@LAguy310) January 26, 2025
Dispelling the rumours, a person going by the name “LAguy” described his chat with a local homeless woman. She told him that Jose, a homeless guy who lived there had been writing these words down for years. “(Jose’s) the one who puts (help) all the time,” she disclosed. She continued, “He writes it everywhere, it’s been years,” but she wasn’t really sure why he did it.
In her perspective, she wasn’t the only one who saw Jose make them. A local said that a homeless person who appears to be mentally ill is to blame for the situation. LAGuy has since been trying to track down Jose but has not had any luck with him sharing regular updates of his pursuits on Twitter/X.
The LAPD responded to LAGuy’s tweet, noting that the signs have been on Google Earth since 2023.
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.” Jose also owns a dog, a Frenchie named Sus.
They wrote: “We’ve had several different contacts with the individual you speak of. He has refused housing or a mental health evaluation. There is no evidence of Human Trafficking. He has been at the location for a few years.”
Union Pacific who owns the site added: “A man trespassed on Union Pacific and other nearby properties to repeatedly create these misleading messages. We do know the individual that creates these, does so on neighbouring properties as well.”
There is no proof that human trafficking or any other illegal activity is taking place at these locations, and government and police enforcement have remained mute despite the cryptic messages that have been making the rounds.
I didn’t notice this sign the first time
This is likely Jose or someone that knows him
I’m still trying to track down Jose
These people are locking down information. They don’t want to talk anymore pic.twitter.com/evPaXa7YUl— LAguy (@LAguy310) January 27, 2025
The assurance, however, does little to allay public concerns as people keep looking for specific justifications.
“The ‘HELP’ signs throughout LA are alarming, particularly in light of the trafficking rumors.
Went to original dog location
He isn’t there
Nobody is pic.twitter.com/1KmVzZCiwu— LAguy (@LAguy310) January 27, 2025