Come Walk Skid Row Tomorrow

I will be there.

I live in the historic core and I walk through Skid Row day and night with no problems. Why do I need an official Skid Row Walk to stroll through an area of town that I frequent regularly?

I have been on the Skid Row Walk before, but I was shocked at the militaristic tone and mentality of it. The walkers were outnumber by LAPD officers, Midnight Mission security personnel and BID security. It was an ineffective and abrasive way to visit the neighborhood. I can imagine how the resident of Central City must have felt with such a stident presence.

Everyone should integrate all parts of community. Using such a offensive approach, however, seems to defeat the purpose of the walk.

Thanks, but count me out. I will continue to treat Skid Row in a manner of respect and dignity.

I agree, Big Bear.

I think there are better ways to show you ‘care’ about the neighborhood.

This is, for better or worse, still THEIR neighborhood too, after all.

The walk is egocentric, Viv.

It is all about the walkers and their security forces. It makes no attempt to include the residents of the area. Instead it treats them as dangerous animals in the wild or toxic specimens in fragile glass jars.

I propose alternatives to the walk and now I will present one of my favorites.

You’ll start at the intersection of 6th and Wall Streets. If you have a dog, hopefully the pooch has come with you. He will have fun on this walk!

If you must drive and park, then park in front of the police station on 6th Street between Los Angeles and Wall. Then head on out to enjoy the neon and restored hotels of Skid Row.

Start at the southeast corner of 6th and Wall Streets and head north. You’ll pass some beautiful old hotels that have been refurbished and turned into affordable housing. Some of them are SRO’s.

Look up for a great treat! Each hotel has an exotic neon sign. Some of the signs are original hotel signs that have been restored. Others have been created by neon artists. You will have difficulty choosing a favorite.

Along the way you will walk under large shade trees. Some of the trees are gracefully dropping their November leaves. You will pass residents of the hotels mingling on the sidewalk, chatting or just relaxing in the calm night air.

When you reach 5th Street, you have reached Skid Row’s short downtown section. Cross over to the north side and enjoy more beautifully restored hotels and their colorful signs, including the Golden West and the Brownstone.

Continue east on to the corner of 5th and San Pedro. You will come to a bright, well stocked market. This is a perfect place to buy a snack or bottle of water.

Cross over to 6th Street and head back to the starting point. You will pass the smart Southern Hotel, home to L.A.’s personable and fiesty Town Crier. On the way back be sure to walk on the west side of Wall Street so that you can view the splendid old hotels and their gently glowing neon signs from a different perspective.

You will feel a bit sad when you reach your starting point. You will have ended a fun stroll through a neighborhood that contains many charms and you will have done so without an ugly, armed escort.

You will look forward to your next trek through Skid Row.

Whenever another militaristic Skid Row march is announced, I will present more humane, graceful strolls as alternatives. If you are nervous about doing it alone, then let Big Bear Joe know. I will walk with you and we can enjoy the neighborhood together.

Big Bear Joe

Big Bear and Viv make some good points, and point out how we (intended or not) react to the entire subject of skid row and the “homeless”. I’ve worked in the down town area for years and find it special and worth any attention or effort to improve it or our view of it. I was on the Homeless Committee for the Central City Association back in the late 80’s and our recommendation to the Mayor was that there is no “homeless” problem in LA. What we have is a criminal, mental health, and drug problem. To view or attempt to treat the “homeless” in any other light will only miss the true issue, waste taxpayer money, and delay ever more the help those on Skid Row need. Those that are truly homeless have programs and taxpayer money in abundance to help them. Also, the truly homeless have the greatest cure for being homeless – the desire for something better and the willingness to actually do something to improve their lot. Without that element, no government or private program will ever achieve anything. Without that element, those that seek help, or are given help by those that are paid to “go out and help the homeless” simply become wards of the state.