Robyn on March 04, 2010, at 10:19AM – #1

Regarding previous and most recent walks: what have the impacts been? What has resulted? Have there been any measurable changes? Does Mr. Birotte plan on similar walks in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties?

Alex Brideau III on March 04, 2010, at 01:52PM – #2

Do other counties have similar Skid Row walks? I thought this was unique to Downtown LA.

on March 05, 2010, at 10:54PM – #3

The Skid Row Neighborhood Watch Walk began in summer 2005. It was responsible for news media attention of skid row that later snowballed with prisoner and patient dumpings. The Walk helped draw attention of the policy makers, and in September of 2006 the City launched the Safer Cities Initiative. The area is still far from safe, either for the sheltered or unsheltered. But enormous strides have been made, the most visible perhaps is that instead of 2,000 people living --and dying-- on skid rown sidewalks, the numbers are now down to around 600-700. Still completely unacceptable, but a remarkable change nonetheless.

on March 06, 2010, at 03:43PM – #4

The Skid Row walks as mentioned have drawn attention to an area many had forgotten for decades. Because of this, people were dying in the street. The will to change this area has had significant impacts upon the ability of organizations such as URM, LA Mission, Midnight Mission etc to do what they do best, help people. The changes in skid row have also resulted in dramatic drops in people dying in the street during the last 4 years as well as very significant drops in crime not only in Skid Row, but the rest of the DTLA area. The Skid Row walk is a way to keep that awareness alive and I applaud Estela for keeping it going. It would be a crime if we forget about skid row and it returns to the state it was before.

Don Garza on March 07, 2010, at 12:10AM – #5

Yes, Estela Lopez has made a difference with the skid row watch walks. As a result of the walks a so called group that claims to represent skid row residents, many of these so called residents do not live in skid row and have never lived in skid row, were challenged at every turn, and their twisted opinion about the area was better contested. The walks drew residents, social service providers, news media , city officials , and by being there ,the real residents of skid row were able to show exactly what was happening on those streets to people who had only heard from these so called organizers who claimed everything was fine the way it was and to stop harassing people.

One of the organizers was shocked when she saw photos of Estela Lopez actually helping people on the streets of skid row.. with a gasp she asked surprised " how did she get those photos ". I took them . I have documented in photos almost every one of the skid row watch walks and I can tell you who has been consistently going on those walks, rain or shine , holiday , or Oscar Party , there are many who have shown up at almost every walk.

I am no longer a resident of skid row , but will continue to go on those walks. As my fortune changes, it may well be, I may have to take body guards with me on the walks , but I will still go because people are still dying on those streets , maybe not as many as before , but if this momentum is stopped , you will see a reversion back to those days. I am living in a better housing situation , my fortune has changed but I won"t forget those who have been left behind! Just recently I was given big news about my future and it is big!! Estela has saved many lives, sci may have started out with all sides at odds , but all sides have worked within that structure to refine it. To abandon these efforts is wrong!!

The scared and silent majority in skid row need to be heard!! Just because a small group of paid advocates who don't even live in skid row are the loudest does not mean they speak for all. I applaud Andy Bales at URM who works in the heart of skid row , walks the streets pushing a huge pallet cart to give drink to the thirsty in the summer, who barbecues meat for the thousands of residents who use the URM , yes actual meat , who spoke against signing a letter to the Mayor claiming that they need to get rid of the police presence in skid row.. many who have social services , like SRO , have their executive offices outside of skid row. They would never allow themselves to have to work everyday in skid row. This is why it is easy for them to say SCI and other improvements are not needed. They don't have to walk amongst all of that day in and day out...

What is needed is people who are both compassionate and moral and ethical working on these issues.. Estela has been able to bring light to what many wanted hidden. Keep shining that light Estela.