There is no better time to address the issue of personal safety in Downtown Los Angeles than now when the city is on high alert, sirens are blaring and police choppers are hovering after the Los Angeles Kings won Lord Stanley's Cup for the first time! And on the eve of a news release that crime in Downtown is surging despite a larger police presence. All half joking aside, the real motivation for this Opinion piece is that without fail the first or second question others ask after I tell them I live Downtown is "is it safe?"
My Background
In considering my opinion of personal safety in Downtown Los Angeles, I think it is important to disclose a few details about myself so that you can understand my position. I look like I just flew in off the farm from Iowa. I am female, consider myself to be tall and strong. I lived in Brooklyn and Manhattan, where the only mode of transportation was walking. I am comfortable doing most any activity on my own. I like to believe in the best of people. I also believe that fear should not govern one's life. I push boundaries and challenge stereotypes.
In the past, I have found myself in dangerous situations. One of the most unsafe decisions I made was to walk through Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn alone at 2:30 a.m. in the morning with no clue about what area I was in or what areas I should avoid. Not wanting to appear lost, I refused to pull out my cell phone as I believed it would draw undue attention to myself. As I walked, I hoped that the next block would be better than the last. Luckily, I made it home unscathed. Only a few catcalls came my way.
I was sexually assaulted at 1 p.m. at a high school track on a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon in my home town, one of the safest big cities in California. A high school kid groped me while I was running around the track. I was prepared to defend myself. I believe I would have won because I was bigger than him. Had it been someone who could have overpowered me, I am certain it would have changed the outcome. That afternoon, I learned to listen to my gut.
Personal Safety in Downtown Los Angeles
My gut has never told me to be fearful of walking around alone as a female in Downtown Los Angeles. With that in mind, I do no walk anywhere by myself at 2:00 a.m. But walking anywhere alone at 2:00 a.m. is never a wise decision. I use common use, watch my surroundings and always acknowledge someone who is asking me for money.
The feeling of safety and security is bolstered by the presence of police officers, building security and the Downtown Center Business Improvement District "Purple Patrol," which provide safety officers and maintenance staff 24-hours a day. Whenever there is an issue, it always seems like the Purple Patrol, the police or a building's security is on-hand bringing the issue to a resolution.
It is no secret that Downtown Los Angeles has a large homeless population. However, I have been surprised by the kindness and politeness of homeless individuals in Downtown Los Angeles. I always smile when I decline to give them change. Usually, their response is "God bless you."
Resources for Monitoring Crime and Sex Offenders
Recently, an ex-Los Angeles SWAT commander told me some horrible stories about crimes that were committed in Downtown Los Angeles. His honesty and deep concern for my safety forced me to question my constructed feeling of safety. To confirm that I was right and had nothing to worry about, I returned to the Los Angeles Times Crime Map and made my first trip to Megan's Law.
I am torn on whether to recommend viewing Megan's Law if you live in Downtown Los Angeles. It is rather unpleasant, but it can help you identify individuals, from whom you should keep your distance. For example, there is an older man I see sitting at the Marty Cafe on Main Street every day. I assumed he is a drug dealer because he always has young adults around him. Upon checking Megan's law, I learned he is sex offender. I also learned that he and a whole building full of sex offenders down the block across, from my gym, committed sex offenses with minors under 14 years old. At least, I can feel safe I am out of their preferred age range.
Bottom Line
Is there is high concentration of transients, drug users, drug dealers, sex offenders and felons in downtown Los Angeles? Yes. Have I felt my personal safety threatened in Downtown Los Angeles? No.
My Background
In considering my opinion of personal safety in Downtown Los Angeles, I think it is important to disclose a few details about myself so that you can understand my position. I look like I just flew in off the farm from Iowa. I am female, consider myself to be tall and strong. I lived in Brooklyn and Manhattan, where the only mode of transportation was walking. I am comfortable doing most any activity on my own. I like to believe in the best of people. I also believe that fear should not govern one's life. I push boundaries and challenge stereotypes.
In the past, I have found myself in dangerous situations. One of the most unsafe decisions I made was to walk through Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn alone at 2:30 a.m. in the morning with no clue about what area I was in or what areas I should avoid. Not wanting to appear lost, I refused to pull out my cell phone as I believed it would draw undue attention to myself. As I walked, I hoped that the next block would be better than the last. Luckily, I made it home unscathed. Only a few catcalls came my way.
I was sexually assaulted at 1 p.m. at a high school track on a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon in my home town, one of the safest big cities in California. A high school kid groped me while I was running around the track. I was prepared to defend myself. I believe I would have won because I was bigger than him. Had it been someone who could have overpowered me, I am certain it would have changed the outcome. That afternoon, I learned to listen to my gut.
Personal Safety in Downtown Los Angeles
My gut has never told me to be fearful of walking around alone as a female in Downtown Los Angeles. With that in mind, I do no walk anywhere by myself at 2:00 a.m. But walking anywhere alone at 2:00 a.m. is never a wise decision. I use common use, watch my surroundings and always acknowledge someone who is asking me for money.
The feeling of safety and security is bolstered by the presence of police officers, building security and the Downtown Center Business Improvement District "Purple Patrol," which provide safety officers and maintenance staff 24-hours a day. Whenever there is an issue, it always seems like the Purple Patrol, the police or a building's security is on-hand bringing the issue to a resolution.
It is no secret that Downtown Los Angeles has a large homeless population. However, I have been surprised by the kindness and politeness of homeless individuals in Downtown Los Angeles. I always smile when I decline to give them change. Usually, their response is "God bless you."
Resources for Monitoring Crime and Sex Offenders
Recently, an ex-Los Angeles SWAT commander told me some horrible stories about crimes that were committed in Downtown Los Angeles. His honesty and deep concern for my safety forced me to question my constructed feeling of safety. To confirm that I was right and had nothing to worry about, I returned to the Los Angeles Times Crime Map and made my first trip to Megan's Law.
I am torn on whether to recommend viewing Megan's Law if you live in Downtown Los Angeles. It is rather unpleasant, but it can help you identify individuals, from whom you should keep your distance. For example, there is an older man I see sitting at the Marty Cafe on Main Street every day. I assumed he is a drug dealer because he always has young adults around him. Upon checking Megan's law, I learned he is sex offender. I also learned that he and a whole building full of sex offenders down the block across, from my gym, committed sex offenses with minors under 14 years old. At least, I can feel safe I am out of their preferred age range.
Bottom Line
Is there is high concentration of transients, drug users, drug dealers, sex offenders and felons in downtown Los Angeles? Yes. Have I felt my personal safety threatened in Downtown Los Angeles? No.
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