NPR Series Takes Nuanced Look at Life on Skid Row
Ed Fuentes
General Jeff Page and LAPD Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph during a December basketball game at Gladys Park that pitted the Skid Row 3 on 3 All Stars against LAPD.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — This week, NPR's Morning Edition is running a three-part look at life on Skid Row. The series' first two installments have done a better job than most at presenting the complexity of life on Skid Row: it's a neighborhood, it's a place for recovery it's a place for business and, for decades, it's been a place of lawlessness.
Skid Row's portrayal in the media has long suffered from its one-dimensionality. The neighborhood's problems are deep and complex, but it also has more life and positive work going on than is typically shown.
Part one focuses on the history of the area, giving a look at the forces that created today's Skid Row.
Part two looks at the Safer Cities Initiative, including a walk around the neighborhood with LAPD Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph.
Also part of the second story is a slideshow narrated by General Jeff Page, who has been heavily involved in neighborhood efforts like the Skid Row 3 on 3 basketball league.
Guest on April 26, 2010, at 12:56PM – #1
Thanks for all the positive influence and hard work you are doing in the community. Many people in the downtown area are impressed and willing to support you. If you need anything, just ask, we are listening.
General Jeff on April 26, 2010, at 02:26PM – #2
Guest #1,
I'm not sure exactly who your reply is to, but since I'm one of the folks that are featured in this three-part story plus slideshow narration, and also one of the positive activist's in the Skid Row community, I would definitely like to say "thank you" for the public recognition.
We are collectively making a difference and intend on making even more progress in the very near future which will add to the overall improvements of Downtown LA.
Guest on April 26, 2010, at 08:11PM – #3
Yes, General Jeff, my comment was directed at you. Sorry I forgot to mention that, the link to the slideshow was over shadowed the rest of the story. Very powerful stuff you are doing. Looking forward to helping you. Any suggestions?
General Jeff on April 26, 2010, at 08:32PM – #4
Guest #3( and #1),
Thank you for the clarification as well as the positive feedback.
We can talk further about the various possibilities that you may be interested in as it regards to helping us in Skid Row.
Please e-mail me at issuesandsolutions@yahoo.com
Thanx