I want to visit the gang areas in South Central California. Any suggestions?

Yeah...


Don't do it.

Otherwise....whatever happens is your fault.

Why? You like to live life on the edge of danger?

Why? You like to live life on the edge of danger?

I'm just interested in seeing what areas of South Central are so coveted, and why. I don't think riding through a neighborhood is dangerous. It's not like it's Gaza.

You don't know any gang members do you?

You don't know any gang members do you?
Not yet.

Yes, if you are the wrong skin color, or do something to "disrespect" the gang, or just stop at the wrong stop light, you will be robbed, hurt or killed, happens every day.

We had areas in Atlanta (and that is good compared to what you want) that police could not go unless there were two officers together.

Also, I have never asked this. Are you black or white. If you are white, your chance of dying, just driving though that area is greatly increased. If you drive a nice car, the chances of having the car stolen, at a stop light is greatly increased.

I personally would never drive though that area, if I had my pistol and shotgun both with me. If I did have to go, I would never stop at any stop sign or stop light.

I did, just recently go to the war zone in Burma, that is much safer than where you want to go.

LA's Top 12 Gang-Ridden Neighborhoods - Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/04/las_top_12_gang.php)

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zN85NJfsbSnM.k7DeR3PbATPw

LA's Top 12 Gang-Ridden Neighborhoods - Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/04/las_top_12_gang.php)

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zN85NJfsbSnM.k7DeR3PbATPw
Thanks for the links. I just learned I live in a gang territory, and I didn't even know.

Talking about color...

If you are wearing the wrong color clothes you will get shot. No questions asked. If you are in the neighborhood of the Bloods, for example, and you are wearing a blue shirt, BAM! 🔫🔫🔫

You see, I DO know gang members. I have great pleasure telling them to pull up their pants every night I work. I live in one of the most dangerous cities in America. Memphis.

I also know gangs, I had a family member in the Crips. I lived in one of the worst areas of Atlanta (still not LA) within my 6 city block area, there were several thefts, fights and shootings, every day

I'm just interested in seeing what areas of South Central are so coveted, and why. I don't think riding through a neighborhood is dangerous. It's not like it's Gaza.

There are no coveted south central areas..not for anyone but some idiot in a gang that calls it their turf.... it wouldn't be a slum area if it had any value to contributing members of society. You really ARE clueless if you don't think riding through a gang controlled area is not dangerous. If fact you have really lived a sheltered life if you don't see the problems involved.

Are you trying to win the Darwin award this year? No need to answer...its pretty obvious you are.

This has to be a troll post....with everything there is to see in this country....they want to go to one of the worst buttcrack areas of the country for "tourism".

I'm just interested in seeing what areas of South Central are so coveted, and why. I don't think riding through a neighborhood is dangerous. It's not like it's Gaza.

You are either naïve or dumb. Gang territories have NOTHING to do with being coveted. Area that have high gang activity are actually poor neighborhoods. Gangs arise because the police don't concentrate on those areas so gangs take control. Gang areas are not tourist attractions. Strangers in gang infested areas take extreme risks.

Gang territories have NOTHING to do with being coveted.
Why do I hear about gangs fighting over the same area? One gang wants to possess another gangs area. Covet means "yearn to possess or have something", and this certainly sounds like areas being coveted.

Why do I hear about gangs fighting over the same area? One gang wants to possess another gangs area. Covet means "yearn to possess or have something", and this certainly sounds like areas being coveted.
There's nothing special (buildings, statuary, valuable land, etc.) to "covet." The gangs are into control of territory, like when my little brother and I fought over how much space each of us had in the back seat of the car. I was bigger and stronger, so I always won. Same with gangs -- the bigger and stronger ones win and control more territory. That might mean more shops to rob, more kids to get hooked on drugs, more people who fear them. The "coveting" is the power and control. Nothing for idle strangers to risk their lives to gawk at.

Why do I hear about gangs fighting over the same area? One gang wants to possess another gangs area. Covet means "yearn to possess or have something", and this certainly sounds like areas being coveted.

Are you really that dense? As Wondergirl said its about control. Control of the drug trade for one. Did you ever see the Godfather movies? Street gangs are only different from organized crime families in their level of sophistication. It has nothing to do with the value of property.

Why do I hear about gangs fighting over the same area? One gang wants to possess another gangs area. Covet means "yearn to possess or have something", and this certainly sounds like areas being coveted.Did you grow up in a Convent or in some remote place on earth without the news? If you ask that question you must have because its hard to find ANYONE in the USA that does not Know that The Bronx, Harlem, Southside of Chicago, SE Washington DC, and South Central LA are the Worst places in the entire USA.

There is NOTHING worth seeing and NOTHING of value in South Central LA... not even the people there.

There's nothing special (buildings, statuary, valuable land, etc.) to "covet." The gangs are into control of territory, like when my little brother and I fought over how much space each of us had in the back seat of the car. I was bigger and stronger, so I always won. Same with gangs -- the bigger and stronger ones win and control more territory. That might mean more shops to rob, more kids to get hooked on drugs, more people who fear them. The "coveting" is the power and control. Nothing for idle strangers to risk their lives to gawk at.
Thanks. It's seems like answering a question in a cordial fashion is sadly lacking with many others.

Thanks. It's seems like answering a question in a cordial fashion is sadly lacking with many others.
It's maybe a power and control thing, i.e., patriarchal. ;-)

Thanks. It's seems like answering a question in a cordial fashion is sadly lacking with many others.

Tell you what... you want Cordial. OK... Wear your best clothes to make an Impression... go through South Central and check out the sunset.

If you survive it... let us know.


We are being cordial... we are trying to keep you from getting robed, beaten, shot or Killed. We could tell you, go ahead and enjoy yourself..its safe and all the gang bangers are just misunderstood. But we didn't.

Your plans border on suicidal... and are without a doubt, ill conceived, dangerous, and completely unrealistic.

But if you want to ignore everyone's very proper and very accurate advice. People who clearly know far more about the real world than you do ( seriously... you have a VERY unrealistic perspective). They call it the Darwin award for a very good reason.

You call it not being cordial... WE call it trying to keep you from doing something monumentally stupid and dangerous for your life and physical well being.

People FROM LA go out of their way to avoid going through there for the very same reasons.

People that don't listen to common sense when its presented NEED a much more blunt approach.

Would you rather have your tender sensibilities offended or become a crime statistic? If you are that thin skinned...you REALLY need to steer clear of that entire area. Because people like you look and act like a victim...and the predators can spot you a mile away because you will attract them like a magnet..

I'm from LA and live in the suburbs. I can tell you that if you drive into the wrong neighborhood, you'll stick out like a sore thumb, as they say. Don't expect the local law enforcement agencies to come to your rescue. If you don't belong there, stay away.

we are trying to keep you from getting robed, beaten, shot or Killed.
Thank you. I live in a gang area and I go out after midnight and have never had an issue. I will take the same safety precautions I take in my neighborhood.

Thank you. I live in a gang area and I go out after midnight and have never had an issue. I will take the same safety precautions I take in my neighborhood.
What will you see in the dark? Will you take a flashlight?

What will you see in the dark? Will you take a flashlight? Muzzle flash is one thing that comes to mind.

Gang area at night. LOL. Even the police will not do that alone.

You really do have a death wish, don't you?

But you are not a stranger in your own neighborhood. You are known so there is no problems. It is strangers wandering around, especially at night, that are in danger.

Frankly, I don't believe you are that dense, I smell troll.

Did you just move to LA? Where did you grow up or live most of your life? The way you ask questions makes you sound very naive about gangs, territory, 'coveting' territory, all of it. That's not a put down, just an observation about a kind of innocence.

This will be harsh.

So now you want to cruise/walk through a very dangerous neighborhood at night.

In all honesty I find your plans to be insulting to the people in the areas you want to visit. You are essentially treating other human beings as animals in a zoo that are there for your entertainment. You do not appear to be wanting to help people or have any other positive intentions. Instead, you seem to want to treat their neighborhood as a drive through zoo/animal park. Is that how you want people to treat your neighborhood?

As you should know, not everyone who lives in the gang areas are members of a gang. Many people are just like you and trying to live their lives and deserve to do so without being gawked at by someone who thinks they are an exhibit.

If you want to carry through with your plan and you aren't thinking of the people as just curiosities, why don't you join a volunteer group that tries to help the people? You can probably find a civic or church group.

Keep in mind that if you go by yourself at night, if the gang members don't bother you, the police who do venture into the area or patrol the perimeter will probably think you were there for drugs or other illegal reasons.

You have covered all of the aspects of the question. Looks like the OP has a
"Death Wish".

Nah, I think it's just another example of a keyboard gangster.

Nah, I think it's just another example of a keyboard gangster.

I agree, he must have missed the school bus.

What you will see are some people hanging around here and there, bars on windows of most homes and businesses (that are open), graffiti (some gang related, but much of it actual art), depending on where you go... some pretty historical sites, and the occasional indicator of gang boundary, or relationship to a gang, that you likely wouldn't recognize without knowing what you were looking at.

You may experience no problems at all just passing through, or you may end up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Obviously, it's a chance you take depending on the decision that you make.

What you will see are some people hanging around here and there, bars on windows of most homes and businesses (that are open), graffiti (some gang related, but much of it actual art), depending on where you go... some pretty historical sites, and the occasional indicator of gang boundary, or relationship to a gang, that you likely wouldn't recognize without knowing what you were looking at.

You may experience no problems at all just passing through, or you may end up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Obviously, it's a chance you take depending on the decision that you make.
He wants to drive around after midnight.

Three words if they do it... Darwin Award Nominee..

Hey...it sounds harsh...but it weeds a certain element out of the human gene pool. That's just a REALITY of the world. Harsh yes...but reality is harsh.

What you will see are some people hanging around here and there, bars on windows of most homes and businesses (that are open), graffiti (some gang related, but much of it actual art), depending on where you go... some pretty historical sites, and the occasional indicator of gang boundary, or relationship to a gang, that you likely wouldn't recognize without knowing what you were looking at.

You may experience no problems at all just passing through, or you may end up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Obviously, it's a chance you take depending on the decision that you make.

Sorry Doula, you obviously aren't from Los Angeles. Something will happen, and it isn't good. South Central isn't safe for anyone, including the residents. Innocent babies are shot and killed all of the time.

Someone who who doesn't belong will certainly be noticed. It's a fact! People take wrong turns all of the time and end up in horrible situations, especially at night.

And if he's wearing the wrong clothes and even the wrong colors....

Personally I do not believe this comment they made earlier. People that live in a gang area will by neccessity be street smart as to how gangs treat outsiders... and even known locals.


Thank you. I live in a gang area and I go out after midnight and have never had an issue. I will take the same safety precautions I take in my neighborhood.

To me this sounds exactly like someone who lived a very sheltered life who watched "Boyz n the Hood" one too many times and has a Utopian concept of what its actually like.

I am fairly comfortable around Hells Angels and Several other clubs... but that's because I know exactly how to respect them and know how NOT to behave around them (I've been to several members houses and have been invited to ride with them on a few occasions). And Unlike street thugs who have no honor... Motorcycle clubs ( most of them anyway) actually have a code and some sort of honor... even if it's a bit different than most other peoples. There are a few that scare the hell out of me and NONE would I walk up to blind without them knowing who I was and what I was doing there.

Agreed, Smoothy! You have to know your area. The OP called it " South Central California." That was my clue that he is clueless!

Sorry Doula, you obviously aren't from Los Angeles. Something will happen, and it isn't good. South Central isn't safe for anyone, including the residents. Innocent babies are shot and killed all of the time. Someone who who doesn't belong will certainly be noticed. It's a fact! People take wrong turns all of the time and end up in horrible situations, especially at night.

No, not LA, but lived in OC and traveled to and through much of the LA area. Most recently making deliveries in several areas of East and South LA. Certainly there are areas best not traveled, and often these are square blocks, where just outside these areas is not as much of a concern, as you would find in many large cities with known gang territories. The biggest risk comes to other known gang members, but as was said, people do end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Near the largest city where I currently live, that has known gangs, there are streets I wouldn't go through and others that, while I wouldn't be out walking, I don't mind driving through.

I wouldn't get out and walk around in many of these areas in LA, although we did within the grounds of various drops, but driving through was not as much of a concern... although once became a bit concerning trying to locate a yard we needed to get to and we did travel through several streets best to avoid. Turned out to be nothing unusual, but you are just more aware and observant as you should in any area that you know to be questionable.

I think the OP was referring to being out at midnight to the area he currently resides, not necessarily that he meant to go to SLA at night. If so, that I wouldn't do even in areas that are less of a concern. Problems tend to multiply after dark.