Notable residents, a balmy climate, stunning beaches, and picturesque mountains all contribute to Los Angeles’s notoriety. But below its glitzy exterior, Los Angeles isn’t without its share of undesirable features.
Some areas are notoriously bad for homelessness, property crime, and violent crime. Here we will take a look at seven of Los Angeles’s riskiest neighborhoods.
Downtown LA
Some say that the most hazardous part of Los Angeles is Downtown Los Angeles, or DTLA for short. In spite of its importance as Los Angeles’s financial hub, the area has a terrible reputation for illegal activity and high crime rates.
In 2021, Downtown Los Angeles had a violent crime rate that was twelve times higher than the national average, according to data collected by the FBI.
Taken together, the property crime rate in Downtown Los Angeles is 5,300% greater than the U.S. average. The murder rate in the area hit a record high of 490 in 2018, and the overall number of violent offenses registered by the LAPD in 2022 was 1,702.
West Adams
When it comes to crime, West Adams is right up there among the worst neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The crime rate is 6,811 per 100,000 inhabitants, which means that out of 11,961 persons living there, 1 in 15 will become victims of crime.
There is a high incidence of violent crimes in West Adams because much of the violence is associated with drug and gang operations. Despite the cops’ obvious presence in the area, locals frequently voice their dissatisfaction with how quickly the authorities can handle the high volume of crimes happening all at once.
Skid Row
One of the biggest homeless encampments in the US is the Wholesale District, also known as Skid Row. Somewhere between nine thousand and fifteen thousand people call Skid Row home. People who live and work in the neighborhood often feel overwhelmed by the number of people experiencing homelessness.
The Wholesale District has witnessed a 59% spike in crime rates since 2010. There were 13,122 recorded crimes in 2013, with 2,698 assaults, 1,350 vehicle break-ins, and 2,453 thefts.
The drug trade is a major contributor to these crimes, although theft, pickpocketing, and other similar offenses are also frequent among the homeless.
San Pedro Street is one of the notoriously dangerous neighborhoods. The region becomes a hotspot for gang activities and drug-related occurrences due to the 6-PM ban on cycling and walking in Skid Row.
Compton
Compton is still known for its high rates of gun violence, drug use, poverty, and violent crime, even if the crime rate has decreased since the 1990s. With 97,740 residents, the area is 51% riskier than the U.S. average due to its crime rate of 3,533 per 100,000.
Although Compton’s murder rate has decreased over the last 20 years, it was the highest in the country in 2005. But violent and property crimes in Compton have been on the rise since 2020. There may be a lot of cops around, but locals still think the force can’t handle emergencies.
North Hollywood
The neighborhood of North Hollywood, sometimes called NoHo, is home to 64,587 people. The area’s crime rate is 2,592 per 100,000 residents, or 10% greater than the U.S. average. The major causes of criminal occurrences in this area are gang and drug activity.
Almost eighty-two percent of all crimes recorded in North Hollywood in 2022 were property crimes. Theft, violence, and robbery are all examples of such crimes. Having said that, there are a few places that are safer during the day, such as Magnolia, Lankershim, and the 170 highway. Public transit is also usually easy to use.
Summary
The vast metropolis of Los Angeles is home to a wide variety of communities. Some of these areas have high crime rates, although they nonetheless attract a lot of tourists. Housing costs are lower in some neighborhoods than in others; examples of these are Koreatown and Hollywood.
Those who value safety may want to look elsewhere, as these areas continue to face problems with homelessness and property crime, even though the rent may be cheaper.