The Kids Of L.A.'s Skid Row

Hundreds of children are growing up in an area Police Chief Bratton refers to as the biggest social disaster in America.

1 minute read

March 16, 2006, 10:00 AM PST

By David Gest


"Depending on whom you're talking to, there are 400 to 700 kids living on Skid Row. Kids are part of the fabric here. I see them out my window all the time: Moms making their way through clouds of second-hand crack vapors with 4- and 5-year-olds, sending them off for the day on a big yellow school bus. Teenage girls in teenage-girl gear stand on corners in the middle of a parade of tragedy. They wait for city buses to deliver them from this local facsimile of Calcutta to public schools somewhere in the greater Los Angeles area. At school, they will presumably lie about where they’ve been and what they’ve seen on this fine morning in the heart of what Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton calls the biggest social disaster in America."

Wednesday, March 8, 2006 in LA Weekly

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

Seattle Legalizes Co-Living

A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.

December 1, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

SunRail passenger train at platform in Poinciana, Florida.

Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion

The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.

November 24, 2024 - Hoodline

Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

December 1, 2024 - StreetsBlog NYC

White Memphis Area Transit Authority bus on street in Memphis, Tennessee.

Limited Transit Access Stifling Memphis Economy

The city ranks low for transit access to jobs, limiting opportunities for local workers and businesses.

6 seconds ago - WREG

Row of old brick homes in Flushing, Queens, New York with high-rise buildings in background.

NYC Likely to Legalize ADUs as Part of ‘City of Yes’ Reforms

Homeowners in some neighborhoods could soon be able to build accessory dwelling units in their backyards, garages, or basements.

1 hour ago - Business Insider

Close-up of hand holding small white square thermoelectric generator in lab with computer in background.

Harnessing Waste Heat Through Thermoelectricity

Heat from industrial installations and buildings can be captured to create renewable electricity.

December 3 - Fast Company

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.