Connect with us

Trending

Disturbing ‘help’ message found on Google Maps as people try to work out what it means

Published

on

A series of distressing messages, including the word “Help,” spotted on Google Maps in Los Angeles has left internet users concerned and speculating about their origin. Written using materials scattered across the land, the messages appear on a plot of what looks like storage or waste land near the Los Angeles River, North Mission Road, and E Cesar E Chavez Avenue.

The area, located close to the Union Pacific Railroad and adjacent to a shipping container yard, has become the focus of online discussions after the images were shared across social media platforms over the weekend.

Cause for Concern

While the most prominent messages spell out “Help,” at least one reads “Traffico,” leading to fears that these might be distress signals from victims of human trafficking.

One Reddit user wrote:
“I also see the words trafico, federales, LAPD, and FBI, and this looks like a building site. If it’s a joke, it is in dangerously poor taste. This sounds like someone or a group of someones are being trafficked and used materials available to them to spell out an SOS. I hope if a random person noticed, authorities noticed as well.”

The location and the apparent urgency of the messages have raised further questions, with many calling for local authorities to investigate.

On-the-Ground Investigation

A Twitter user, known as “LA Guy,” visited the site to investigate. In videos shared online, he expressed uncertainty about whether the messages were a prank or a genuine cry for help.

“I honestly don’t know if this is just kids fooling around, or something real,” he said in one clip, noting that the area is exposed and visible to passersby. “If you’re writing that, everybody sees you. It seems to me like it’s just a bunch of kids playing a prank.”

However, during his investigation, LA Guy spoke with locals familiar with the area, who offered a different explanation.

Multiple messages in the area say 'help' (Google Maps)

Multiple messages in the area say ‘help’ (Google Maps)

A Different Perspective

According to one man who spoke with LA Guy, the messages were written by individuals experiencing homelessness in the area. A woman confirmed this, saying that a man named José, who is homeless, is the one responsible for writing “Help” and other messages in the area.

“José’s the one who puts it all the time,” the woman explained. “He writes it everywhere […] it’s been years.”

Despite her knowledge of the messages, she admitted she wasn’t sure why José had written them or what his exact circumstances were, adding that he might be in need of help himself.

Locals have claimed the signs are written by one man (X/@LAguy310)

Locals have claimed the signs are written by one man (X/@LAguy310)

Community and Authorities Respond

As the images continue to circulate online, calls for action persist. Some users have urged the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to investigate, while others have expressed concerns over the lack of clarity surrounding the situation.

Final Thoughts

While the true meaning behind the messages remains uncertain, they have ignited important conversations about homelessness, mental health, and the possibility of human trafficking. Whether the work of someone in distress or a misunderstood gesture, the messages serve as a stark reminder of the struggles faced by vulnerable populations in Los Angeles.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *