There’s no shortage of bad news in the world. There are wars, human rights violations, corruption in high offices. Children are being abused, mistreated, or exposed to adult themes and ideals far too soon. There are natural disasters and tragic accidents taking place all the time, all over the place, and Google Maps is keeping track of the receipts.
So when people noticed the word “HELP” spelled out on a patch of land in Los Angeles on Google Maps, people assumed that this was yet another example of something gone awry.
More from Little Things: Internet Users Interpret Elon Musk Salute At Inauguration Party As Nazi Gesture
Many people had questions about the words.
Internet users saw the repeated message on Google Maps, Unilad reported. The alarming images went viral, with many questioning who may have written the words and what they could possibly mean. There were some brave enough to travel to the location to investigate. Those who went to the parcel of land in person shared updates on social media.
More from LittleThings: Image From Google Street View May Have Helped Police Solve A Murder Case
There were several words on the plot of land.
The area is between the Los Angeles River, North Mission Road, and E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. The words appear on what looks like storage or waste land. In addition to the word help, the words “trafico” also appears, leading people to believe that the author of the words may have been a victim of human trafficking. The land is located next to a shipping container yard.
This is the very best angle you can get pic.twitter.com/qdgGJ9Nwgk
— LAguy (@LAguy310) January 26, 2025
On Reddit, a user noted that they also saw the words: “federales,” “LAPD,” and “FBI.” They also considered the possibility that the whole thing may have been a prank. “If it’s a joke it is in dangerously poor taste,” the person wrote. Still, they remained optimistic that the right person would come across the message. “I hope if a random person noticed, authorities noticed as well.”
Some internet users visited the site.
While there’s no word on whether authorities have investigated, a man who goes by the name LA Guy on X has visited the site and shares his findings online. From what he’s seen, he believes the whole thing is a prank.
“Honestly don’t know if this is just kids fooling around, or something real, but you can get into the yard through a hole in the fence…I just like to believe this is a prank,” he said.
Some believe they know who’s responsible
In another video, he spoke to a man who knows the area. He claimed the messages had been written by a man experiencing homelessness.
Another woman in the area attributed the words to a man named José. “[José’s] the one who puts it (help) all the time,” she said “He writes it everywhere […] it’s been years.” Still, she wasn’t entirely sure why he was writing these words.
