Allison C on May 21, 2010, at 08:31AM – #2

All I keep hearing is "crime is going down" but from what I see and read, it feels the exact opposite is happening. Maybe crime is going down in other areas, but it's escalating in the residential district. What is being done to help us residents of the historic core who have plagued by one violent incident after the next in recent weeks.

Just 2 months ago I went for a walk at 10:30pm down Spring and Main, and felt completely safe. Cops and purple shirts patrolling, people walking their dogs or going out. Today, I don't even want friends to come over because I hate seeing them get offered drugs every 2 feet or get aggressively panhandled or followed which I frequently get these days. Seriously, What is being done other than saying "Crime is going down"?

Karin Liljegren on May 21, 2010, at 09:23AM – #3

I agree, this is weird ,more crime in the HC than we've heard of in years.

is there any connection between the crack down on skid row by LAPD and maybe some of the crime coming over a few blocks west?

crystal on May 21, 2010, at 10:11AM – #7

scary, I was driving back to the HC from LudoBites about that time. Glad we didn't walk!

Agree w/ #2 and also hope they don't read this b/c then they won't feel safe coming down either.

Brady Westwater (@bradywestwater) on May 21, 2010, at 12:37PM – #11

Much of the crime is coming out of the SRO's in the area and yet the city still wants to open more on them in this area despite the negative impact this type of over concentration is causing. And right now - gangs operating out of the Huntington - which should be shut down - today - by the city is driving the drug dealing at 7th and Main.

Allison C on May 21, 2010, at 01:50PM – #17

@15 Sure it can be called coincidence, but it can also be called a trend. The people perpetrating these crimes are seeing this area as a safe haven for their activities. These people may not be connected, but their location most certainly is, and it makes some of us residents uneasy to see so much violent activity happening right in front of us.

Allison C on May 21, 2010, at 01:55PM – #18

Does anyone else find it strange that the LAPD spent hours on the helicopter to corner a tagger on Winston, but we didn't see any of that with the shootings on Main over the past few days, or the Aggravated Assault on 6th/Spring earlier this week.

I'm not saying we shouldn't be going after vandals, but is this the right way to spend our already strapped resources? Wouldn't that be better used to try to track those causing physical harm? I really curious as to why LAPD went all out on the earlier case, but not the one an hour later.

Lt Paul Vernon on May 21, 2010, at 04:40PM – #24

Hello Everyone on the Blog…

I’ve read all the comments, and I’d like to provide some perspective for you on a number of sentiments.

First, the Guest who wrote comment #14 must have been reading my mind. That guest is spot on with his/her assessment of the most recent events. I was going to provide some perspective on those shootings, but that guest did it for me.

I’ll add that the victims involved in these shootings have tended to be among the criminal element as well: disputes over drugs or prostitution. Last year, downtown saw less than a dozen shot-fired incidents. Guns are used or described in about 2 percent of major crimes. Guns were involved 2 of the 4 homicide incidents, resulting in 3 deaths last year. Of the two homicides this year, one involved a gun.

FEAR OF CRIME. As a cop, I understand the fear of crime and the community’s perception of crime are as important, if not more important, than the actual incidence of crime. Individuals’ perception of crime is always influenced by the last crime they were aware of, whether seen, experienced, or read about. My philosophy of community relations says: PUBLICIZE, DEPUTIZE, AND IMMUNIZE. That is, let you know what we (the PD) do…arrests, solving crimes, identifying crime problems, that way, you can see and judge your PD is professional and effective, and you see how and why we do certain things. I want to deputize you by making you aware of crimes that happen so you can give us tips on solving them, or tips on crime that we may not even be aware of. And I want to IMMUNIZE you by educating you about crime so you don’t become a victim…Lock your car; remove electronic items from the car; don’t walk around at night preoccupied with your I-Phone or with earbuds in your ears; etc.

I debate with some of my PD counterparts who tend to shy away from publicizing crimes and giving information. Some of them believe the more people are bombarded with crime information, the more they are apt to form an opinion that crime is out of control. I like to give the community more credit to have the information and decide for themselves. The Information Age brings an overwhelming amount of crime information to us all daily, which can skew our views.. People need to look at crime information with a critical eye, always asking, “How does this affect me, really.”

PERSPECTIVE. I often wince or snicker comments I read like, why are the police arresting bike thieves, why aren’t they getting the drug dealer off my block, why are they worrying about kids at underground parties, 3-card monty is a victimless crime, etc. I try to provide you the perspective on these crimes by publicizing them, so you can understand their nexus to more serious crime.

Crooks steal bikes to sell for drugs; 3-card monty games encourage people to hold cash in hand, making it easier for crooks to steal it from them; illegal vending enables gangs to extort vendors for “protection” and when not paid, the gangs use violence to intimidate; underground parties, if allowed to operate, will encourage more partying and too often, a criminal element is associated with these parties.

INCIDENCE OF CRIME. The fact of the matter is, crime will always be with us, especially in a free society. So to throw up one’s hands when ANY crime happens, is a little reactionary. The challenges of Skidrow and its problematic people are 100 years old, but boy, things have sure changed over time.

If you’ve only lived downtown for a year or two, you might not know how much things have changed. Twenty years ago there were nearly 20,000 major crimes and nearly 50 murders (most in Skidrow) a year. Last year, we had less than 3,800 crimes and 5 murders. That’s not to say we can’t do better, and we are, because crime is down in our area 13% compared to 2009, and last year was THE lowest year for crime in 20 years (or more, only I did not look back farther).

Most of that crime decline is in violent crime (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assaults). That means the populous is safer than before, at least statistically. Of course if you get robbed or shot, you don’t feel that, and we understand that.

What’s more, while crime downtown has continued to decline, crime in surrounding areas (Hollenbeck, Northeast, Newton, and Rampart) has gone up. That’s a credit to YOU and to YOUR police officers in downtown.

POLICE ARE THE PEOPLE AND PEOPLE ARE THE POLICE. Officers downtown make about 13,000 arrests a year, more than any other police area, and they do it with a use-of-force rate that is half the citywide rate. Detectives solved crimes at a higher rate than any other detective division in the city. This happens because of the interest and collaboration between the police and the community. This community includes homeless, business, and loft dwellers.

HELICOPTERS. I can’t imagine doing police work without a helicopter! We catch far more criminals because of them, and cops and YOU are far safer having them in the sky.

SLOs. There is a Senior Lead Officer, Lenny Davis, who is assigned just to monitor activities on Main Street, from about 2nd down to about Pico. His activities this coming week will be quite busy, trust me!

SLOs Deon Joseph and Steve Nichols coordinate Skidrow.

Best for the weekend, maybe I'll see you for coffee on Spring Street.

Lt. Paul Vernon LAPD, Central Police Station

Julie Rico on May 21, 2010, at 04:41PM – #25

There certainly is an increase of drug sale and aggressive behavior activity in the area, since the 80 dealers were named. I am not sure that eliminating the 80 dealers was a well thought out plan. Now we have to deal with the new guys. It was relatively peaceful here till the 80 dealers were named. Now there is a shooting or stabbing every few days. Not cool. I think that the neighborhood people need to be super alert now. Be careful out there. Watch out for others too please.

Dixon on May 21, 2010, at 05:35PM – #26

Is it possible that the increasing prevalence of methaphetamine in the area has something to do with the increase in violent crimes? Many of the street-level dealers are now selling $20 bags of crystal along with half packs, small plastic bags with 8 pieces of crack of them. Maybe the meth is being supplied by a new type of drug thug to the area.

Lt Paul Vernon on May 21, 2010, at 06:15PM – #28

Check out a couple additional comments I posted on Eric's story on the firefighter and the Cecil Hotel.

Jamie DeFrisco on May 21, 2010, at 06:59PM – #30

SRO Housing - I believe most of the buildings that want to become SRO housing currently are hotels that allow anyone who can pay to stay/live there, do so. SRO housing should be helping these buildings, not making them worst. Not everyone who lives in SRO housing is undesirable. Some people are on disability or simply can't afford to live elsewhere.

Is it possible that the decrease in crime, is now causing fear from criminals and causing them to re-act?

I still think that the problem is that we are getting more press on these issues, so it looks like there is more crime. Now that there are even more people living downtown it increases the fear and awareness.

Julie Rico on May 21, 2010, at 09:33PM – #32

The LAPD is doing an excellent job. I am right here in the middle of it every day. It is worse in the historic core. Since the announcement about the 80 drug dealers. It is much different.

The police cannot do their job without help from the residents. An apathetic attitude should not be the way in the downtown area. Please do your part to counteract the trends that are emerging now. Everyone needs to participate to make this area the area we would like it to be.

Nancy Richardson (@nanorich) on May 21, 2010, at 09:36PM – #33

There is more crime in Sherman Oaks than there is downtown.

Commander Blake Chow on May 21, 2010, at 09:47PM – #34

I feel compelled to comment on this.

Part of what DTLA is always fighting is the perception of safety. Drugs and the ensuing possibility of violent crime is still a problem in that area. Statistically, DTLA is the safest place in the City with violent crime being down this year and last, and the total numbers of crime being the lowest in LA. Crime is down around 40 percent from 2006.

This is not to say more needs to be done. Some hotels and other establishments are still problematic and there are things being done to deal with those locations. Predators will still come to DTLA to prey upon sell drugs to those that are addicted to substances. Tools like the the injunction are evidence of constantly looking at ways to deal with that problem.

The LAPD needs the community and the community needs LAPD. This partnership is what has created the successes I just mentioned in DTLA, but the job is not complete. There is still much to do. Get involved with your Senior Lead Officer, get involved with the Community Police Advisory Board and get involved with Central Division so we can help you and you can help us

Don Garza on May 22, 2010, at 01:28AM – #38

Having had lived in skid row in an SRO that was raided by LAPD recently because a drug dealer was operating from there and he had a locker full of Guns, I can tell you that the reason these SRO Hotels , that are operated by SRO Housing Corporation and other non -profits will be a problem is because drug dealers who move in do not have an income or are on some sort of disability check from the government, thus, if drug dealers reported their income they would not be able to get in, based on their income. Some "disabled" and addicted in these buildings augment their disability checks , if they are addicted , by dealing drugs , etc. Many sell pirate dvds , pornography , rent out their rooms to those who are paying for prostitutes. The facts are that there are many who live in these hotels who are law abiding , but many crooks use them as shields from which to ply their trades.

The acquisition of the Rossyln Hotel by SRO Housing Corporation, and maybe the Huntington Hotel in the future by a non for profit is a continuation of the policy of containment that was created many years ago by the city to continue to contain the "skid row" type people in this area. Many have been fighting this policy , but with the continuation of hostility from surrounding communities in Los Angeles , the city can not force low income affordable housing to be built in certain neighborhoods. Look at it like this , by acquiring the Rossylyn , if you look at it from the perspective of trying to do away with the policy of containment you could say that we expanded skid row , once again, into the Historic Core.

AS long as you have drug dealers who have no income to verify , many of them on welfare , or SSI , or SSD , who can only verify that type of income , they will continue to infiltrate these non-profit hotels. It just amazes me how there was no violent resistance to the acquisition of the Rossylyn Hotel by SRO by Historic Core Residents.

I applaud and stand by the LAPD because once the City and the business community began to get support from the CITY and the Business and Residential Community and also from the Skid Row Community, believe it or not, some people claim to speak for everyone in skid row, they do not, things began to change. We know that it was the creation of the DCBID and efforts from the CCA that began the efforts to make Downtown Los Angeles the crown Jewel it should be.

When I lived in skid row i would ask this question to counter those who would say that all of us in skid row wanted to stay Downtown. If i would have been offered housing in a nicer neighborhood , I would gladly have left and many in those SRO's or sros would not have had a problem relocating. But there was a vocal feew who claimed to speak for all of us who just made things worse for us.

These efforts to claim these large hotels for low income subsidized housing has an economic and profit motive. Altruism is not the reason. What is needed in Los Angeles right now, are not more expansion of not for profits or more non profit organizations , what is desperately needed are the cash cows who work 16 hour days , can't afford to by a home , a loft , a condo , can't afford health insurance , so that they make money to pay the taxes to pay the administrative salaries and subsidies for those in the non-profit housing. Why are we not creating wealth , but instead focused on creating huge non-profit corporations that can't even sustain themselves? Have the policy makers learned anything about the law of diminishing returns?

We need to preserve workforce housing and create more of that for those starting out. We need to become more business friendly in Downtown Los Angeles. I made the prediction 10 years ago that once these huge businesses were created in Downtown they would then begin to donate to these non-profits. We saw this with Sonny Astani who gave 1 million to Skid Row Housing Trust, Herbalife just partnered with the Union Rescue Mission, AEG donates and offers it venues for donations and fundraisers for the Midnight Mission , it goes on and on. When we make it more difficult for business and residential developers to acquire these hotels we are just biting the hands that feed these non-profits. We also need new business players to come to Los Angeles Downtown , one size does not fit all.

There are no profiling efforts in skid row , what is happening is that there has been an effort to control it's effects on the rest of Downtown. And after having lived in skid row for 10 years I saw the efforts and it was good. LAPD , City Attorney , non-profits , etc. They have been working hard at the Clean up , with the CCEA, Central City East Association and Estela Lopez leading the charge.

Main Street is the scrimmage line , this is where the containment policy battle has been fought . Rest assured, the business community is ready to change the heads of the policy makers in the CITY. I feel Brady Westwater , because for many years he has been doing all he can to make Downtown business friendly and an economically viable place to spend money to keep it Downtown. And I would be fuming over the acquisition of the Rossylyn and see it as an incursion into the creation of an economic engine , which is downtown. I have the old policy of containment proposal in my hands. I did my research. Many will tell you there was no policy of containment only because it wasn't an official policy in the CRA Project Area called the CIty Business District Redevelopment Project Area . If you want things to change, then you hold those non-profit housing developers to the same standards as the market rate developers , they should be good neighbors. Case in point was the Ford Hotel , SRO Housing Corporation challenged the conditions placed on them. Just because they are a non profit does not make them special. They manage and own an astronomical amount of property on the East Side of Downtown and it has been said before, SRO Housing Corporation is the largest property manager and owner on the east side of downtown.

Finally , what we need is to really look at these issues. Crime is an issue in the Historic Core where I now reside and it is heartening to hear from LT Vernon , Captain Chamberlain , and Officer Chow , I know they are on the job! And as long as they are on the job rest assured, they will solve these issues along with the SLOS.

It rests on the residents of the Historic Core to voice that they do not want an old skid row type of environment coming to the Historic Core like it was 7 years ago. Many of yu on here asking questions , well , it seems the LAPD is listening.

Dixon on May 22, 2010, at 11:46AM – #45

"Are you listening Nickle Diner?"

.....so, "Howie", is the Nickel staff supposed to patrol Main Street and stop the guys from working the parking meters? Maybe you think they should head out and stop the shootings and drug dealing too. Are you serious, "Howie"???

BTW, guest #42, who cares whether Chow is an officer or a commander. He's a cop, right?

Dixon on May 22, 2010, at 12:21PM – #47

Why do you assume they are not doing advocacy now, Howie? You have no knowledge of what actions they have been taking. And why are you singling them out? They're not the only business on Main Street and the parking meter scammers don't target only their customers.

You're the self-styled Greek chorus of Downtown. Why don't you handle it?

Dixon on May 22, 2010, at 01:17PM – #49

Oh, Howie, if you think the Nickel Diner is a nuisance business that's responsible for the crime out there, then you should check into the Huntington Hotel. You may not get turn down service, but they'll surely call the coroner for you the next morning!

Don Garza on May 22, 2010, at 01:32PM – #51

As long as I have known Officer Chow I call him officer Chow out of habit. I knew him before he was a commander and I meant no disrespect. But for some reason I still call him officer Chow , probably because he can be counted on to respond to the needs of the community. But mostly because he is Officer Chow.

DawnC on May 23, 2010, at 12:37PM – #52

I find it very reassuring that the LAPD not only reads but also responds to our community blog. This dialogue is essential to improving DTLA.

I would love for Blogdowntown to do a story on what exactly we should do if we see something happening and who we should call. I feel like calling 911 should be reserved for serious emergencies but it's the only number I can ever remember to report crimes. Telling us to communicate with law enforcement is great but please let us know the best ways to do it.

I'd also like to get a comprehensive guide on how to handle yourself on the street when people approach you and situations to avoid. It may seem like common sense to people who work in law enforcement but citizens could use some of your insight on staying safe in the big city. I'm sure there are very common mistakes we all make on a daily basis that we could easily avoid if we were aware of them. For instance I've heard having pepper spray in your purse is no use to you if you're attacked and can't get to it. You should have it in your hand with your finger on the sprayer.

Julie Rico on May 23, 2010, at 05:22PM – #53

You may call 213-485-3294 this is the central division and they can dispatch someone if needed asap.

Lt Paul Vernon on May 23, 2010, at 10:57PM – #54

Couple things residents can do about reporting non-emergency crime:

1. Write down car descriptions and license plates of suspicious cars / persons, even if nothing is happening yet. You may hear of a crime later, and the plate may be useful. If you hear about a crime, call info into the police station.

2. Report tips to CRIMESTOPPERS program. LAPD also has an anonymous text tip program you can send in by phone...

Text C R I M E S and put LAPD in the subject line, then write your tip. Give as much detail as you can about persons and activities.

The info goes to a computer that randomizes your identity and make you anonymous (tho you can put your name in the details if you want to be contacted).

If that info deals with Downtown, the tip gets routed to me, personnally, and I read everyone and assign it for action.

We get more tips about Downtown than just about any other police division...because we have so many active, concerned residents.

Lt Paul Vernon on May 23, 2010, at 10:59PM – #55

I should clarify, when you text CRIMES, you text the numeric equivalent: 274637

Amy on May 24, 2010, at 08:40AM – #56

Is it better to call or text? Is one a faster route than the other? Thanks, Lt Vernon.

Jamie DeFrisco on May 24, 2010, at 01:25PM – #57

Don Garza- What types of people are currently living in the buildings that they are trying to turn into SRO housing? From my understanding there are less restrictions on those who live in those hotels and I assume it'd be more likely to have people who are doing illegal activities. SRO at least has some restrictions. It's not to say that people don't find ways around it.

How do you deal with these hotels that house people that are good and those who are bad?

You're right. Most of the good people living in SRO housing or hotels don't want to live in them, but can't afford to move elsewhere. SRO housing needs to clean up their buildings. I'm not trying to say that SRO housing is a good option, but it's a step.

I do feel that there needs to be more of a middle ground with the housing in downtown. There really isn't enough housing for those with middle income or have lower income, but don't want to live in SRO housing.

Don Garza on May 24, 2010, at 03:12PM – #58

Define restrictions. Because when an operator like SRO Housing Corporation gets tax credits and section 8 tenants , there aren't very many restrictions. Please elucidate as to restrictions? Restrictions like what?

Jamie DeFrisco on May 24, 2010, at 07:26PM – #60

If you apply for SRO housing I know they do credit checks and if I remember correctly they do background checks. You do have to prove some form of income, even if it's coming from the government. They'll also call your previous landlord for reference. I don't know what the exact restrictions are and what they let slide. It is possible for someone to have a clean history and still get involved in illegal activities. When you go to stay/live in a hotel they don't do any of those types of checks.

I would assume that living standards are also better in the SRO Housing buildings than the Hotels. Since I honestly haven't been in the hotels I could be completely wrong.

Do you want the hotels to continue to run as they are now? If not, what do you propose? I'm sure you have more insight than I do. My concern is that as the hotels are now, they aren't safe. If you turn the hotels into something better, you need to find someplace for the existing tenants.

Lt Paul Vernon on May 24, 2010, at 08:56PM – #61

Amy:

If you have info to give about general criminal activity, or suspicion of such, a text is great thru the Crimestoppers because I know it will come to me and I will have someone look into it.

If you have immediate need for police, call 9-1-1. If there is on-going police activity sometime, like a cordon on a suspect, or, like one woman did the other day, see a suspect through a knife in a trashcan, call the police desk or 9-1-1.

Don Garza on May 24, 2010, at 11:50PM – #62

Once again SRO is a generic term.

So are you speaking about SRO Housing Corporation or are you speaking about an sro building that has not been given to a non-profit such as SRO Housing Corporation.

Ok here is the answer:

No! NO! and NO!

These SRO Housing Corporation and Skid Row Housing Trust are in the business of providing housing for the homeless , the mentally , ill , and seniors who have no where else to turn. One of the main requirements is that you have had to been homeless for a year to qualify to get in. Have completed a year in a transitional program in recovery if addicted to substances.

There are many registered sex offenders living in those hotels, just go to Megans Law Website so I don't see much in restrictions.

Let me reiterate That drug dealer that was busted at the Southern Hotel was on General Releif- welfare- that is the income he reported.He is not going to report his income from drug sales. SO many of these drug dealers are gaining access to these hotels and knocking a real needy person out of it because they meet the criteria to be inside.

What I am proposing is that

1. When a non-profit operator acquires a large hotel such as the Rossylyn and Huntington and the Ford Hotel they must provide security onsite 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Currently SRO Housing Corporation has roving security guards that roam the over 25 properties they operate with about 4 or 5 on duty any given night.

2. What we need are for market low income operators who will provide the type of housing we are talking about with rents for those who can't afford the huge rents in other loft buildings .

3. We have got to stop keeping downtown as the only place to provide housing for those with special needs. AS long as downtown continues to be the place , then homelessness is not a city wide issue , and nothing gets solved.

Now this is where some who are arrogant get crazy on me.

Skid row was not a progression and is not a neighborhood that was a natural outcome of families and homes and what not. SKID ROW LOS ANGELES was created and it was created as a dumping ground for those that were not acceptable in other neighborhoods. This si why you will never hear the cry of gentrification flowing from my mouth. Skid row , not the people , but the conditions that were allowed to fester there was a creation of CRA and City Policy.

We are not seeing the second phase of "gentrification" downtown with the influx of well to do residents , what we are seeing is the second phase of skid row.

Skid row and it's residents were isolated for a long time. The new residents in the Historic Core have forced skid row residents not to hide anymore. They interact with Historic Core Residents. Just because someone in skid row is down on their luck does not mean they don;t have a work history or some other talent.

By allowing the residents in skid row to interact with the rest of society at large these folks remember from whence they came and act accordingly and will want to better their lives and their station and status and maybe get back into the mainstream BY creating a mixed income community this will be the natural outcome. So in Los Angeles , because of NIMBY thinking, the end of skid row as it was will be because of the change in the norms on the streets etc. Just listen to the blog comments on here and you will see. There will never be an outright gentrification of skid row. The CRA , in the late 70's had no choice but to gentrify skid row with the poor. But what was truly missing and is now happening were those higher income earners to finish the process. Thus the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance.

The containment plan was simple. Put everything in skid row and surround it with the newer downtown , but crack changed all of that back in the early 80's and skid row became the place to send your so called human trash.

Because of Nimbyism in other parts of Los Angeles that stops the creation of the SRO type hotels like SKID ROW HOUSING Trust and Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation from building there , the powers that be can only use the NIMBYISM that is brought into Downtown to begin a way to control the nonsense that was skid row. Read these blog comments. In essence, you are the solution. You are not the gentrifier , you are the variable that will solidify a homeostasis to bring the chaos that was skid row to a stop. SRO and Skid Row Housing trust will not allow the type of nonsense that runs rampant in the hotels in the heart of skid row on Main Street because , for some reason , the powers that be listen to those of us in market rate housing and not the SROS. But knowing those two organizations as well as I do , if we give them leeway and do not hold them accountable , then they will find a way to not go by certain conditions by claiming they are a non-profit and are in dire straights , like they did when they acquired the FORD HOTEL.

The solution is to move forward with the adaptive reuse ordinance. But in light of the SRO preservation ordinance . what market rate developer wants to acquire these hotels? This is why the ordinance was created... to preserve those hotels for an overly bloated non-profit organization that can't even sustain itself. This is why CITY HEADS are about to change real soon. Business friendly CITY HEADS will replace those who have not been so business friendly. Our Solution is to create wealth not non-profits. The non-profits that exist right now are foundering because there is no new wealth being created so as to donate to them and government money has even dried up to save them. This is bad joo joo and bad business, when you have more mouths to feed than you have money to sustain them with.

General Jeff on May 25, 2010, at 12:05AM – #63

Well said Don Garza!

Dixon on May 25, 2010, at 09:44AM – #64

"they will find a way to not go by certain conditions by claiming they are a non-profit and are in dire straights , like they did when they acquired the FORD HOTEL."

Don Garza, I haven't heard much about the Ford Hotel. What is it like now that it has been acquired? It was horrible before, but are there still problems now?

Jamie DeFrisco on May 26, 2010, at 03:55PM – #66

Don Garza - I agree completely with you. I realized my big mistake is that I assumed that the Alexandria and the Rosslyn Lofts were run by SRO Housing. They do have SRO units, but apparently aren't run by SRO Housing Corporation. I remember when the Alexandria was a hotel. Since it was turned into a building with SRO units it has been cleaned up. It still needs improvement, but it appears to be better than it was.

Don Garza on May 26, 2010, at 05:03PM – #67

yeaH!! YEAH!!! It is so hard for people to understand the difference between SRO Housing Corporation and the term sro!!

YEAH!! I am not being funny or facetious I am being serious it is hard fro folks to make that distinction.

Now we have to make the distinction between the two Rossylyn Hotels on 5th street.

The one on the north is still run by original owner but SRO Housing Corporation is out of escrow next month and will have acquired it by then . AMERLAND owns the Rossyln LOFTS on the North side which has apartments after the renovation. I can't call any of them sro because a couple can live in them together. Now , in terms of restrictions and well Run , well , Amerland is doing a fabulous job.

Don Garza on May 26, 2010, at 05:06PM – #68

oops I meant the Rossylyn Hotel on the South side of 5th street will be acquired by SRO Housing Corporation in June.