A Redditor discovered some distressing markings in a Los Angeles shipping yard reading, "HELP," while sifting through Google Maps. It's visible at the coordinates 34°03'18"N 118°13'30"W on the website.

The screenshots have since gone viral because they could be blowing the whistle on something sinister. This is because it's not just "help" written with pipes and debris, as "LAPD," "federal" and the Spanish word "trafico" (traffic) are also seen, meaning that, whoever left the message seemed to want to reach the authorities, no matter if they're a hoaxter or legit.

So, where did this news come from? What's going on here and what are some of the leading theories? Let's explain.

Where Did This News Come From?

A Redditor named ilovemesomebeans posted about the now-viral Google Maps find to the subreddit /r/conspiracy on Saturday where it gained a good 4,500 upvotes in short order. They said they originally sourced it from a Facebook group that hasn't been found yet.

The images are definitely "unsettling," as the Redditor states. "HELP" is written in all caps multiple times with items found in the Santa Monica shipping yard.

Has Anyone Gone To 34°03'18"N 118°13'30"W?

Since the story went viral, some LA residents have gone to scope out the site. One of the best videos so far was shared by Twitter / X user @LAguy310.

He first shows a homeless encampment on the edge of the shipping yard where a person and a dog are sitting around. Once he gets closer to the markings, the viewer can see that the words are written with planks of wood and black, plastic pipes.

This is the very best angle you can get pic.twitter.com/qdgGJ9Nwgk

— LAguy (@LAguy310) January 26, 2025

Influencers have also visited the site in recent days, like members of the FaZe Clan who were told by a random passerby to "get out."

the FaZe Boys were forced to leave the viral “HELP” location in Los Angeles after a man told them to leave or “something bad” would happen to them 👀 pic.twitter.com/X4Pkaix8wE

— ryan 🤿 (@scubaryan_) January 26, 2025

What's The Leading Theory?

Redditors have sounded off in the original post as to what they think is going on. One of the leading theories is about Union Pacific, which owns the lot next to the location.

Some believe that "trafico" is a warning that human trafficking is taking place in the containers brought into the lot, like something out of The Wire season 2. Union Pacific is being roped into this assumption as many believe that the company could be complicit in some sort of illegal ring — though there's nothing proving this as of now.

Another possibility is that the words were written by some ne'er-do-wells looking for a good laugh and some chaos. X user @LAguy310 suggested this in his viral video.

Others on Reddit, who are allegedly locals in the area, purported that a homeless man (possibly the one caught in @LAguy310's video) is the one writing these words.

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For the full history of Santa Monica's "Traffico, Federal and LAPD" Conspiracy, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's entry for even more information.