South LA Crime Is Still Our Reality — Even If They Say It’s Down

By Angel Ryaj | LA Connexion Community Contributor

City Says Crime Is Dropping — But That’s Not My Reality

Not long ago, city leaders stood in front of cameras and shared what seemed like great news: homicides in Los Angeles dropped by 14% last year. According to LAPD data, 225 fewer people were shot in 2023 than the year before. On paper, it sounds like things are turning around. But for those of us living in neighborhoods like South LA, those numbers feel disconnected from what we’re experiencing daily.

I don’t know who’s benefiting from this so-called drop, but it’s not the blocks I walk. The violence, the tension, the feeling of watching your back — it hasn’t eased up. If anything, it feels like it’s spreading and getting more blatant.

The Reality of South LA Crime

I live in South LA and use the Citizen app constantly. It’s part of how I stay alert, because I have to. But even with the notifications and warnings, there’s a layer of crime that happens in front of you — not just on a screen.

Just the other day, I went to the local Food 4 Less and watched a “booster” openly stuffing items down his pants before walking out the door like he was grabbing a receipt. There wasn’t panic. There wasn’t fear. It was just... normal. That’s what concerns me. Crime is no longer hidden — it’s bold, in your face, and it’s becoming routine. South LA crime doesn’t just show up in press conferences — it plays out in real time, right in front of your eyes.

High-Speed Chases, Helicopters, and Caution Tape

A few weeks ago, I saw the end of a high-speed chase with my own eyes. The car crashed out, cops swarmed the area, and the ghetto bird hovered so low it shook windows. This isn’t something I read about — this happened while I was out, minding my business. This is life out here.

And it doesn’t stop there. One evening, I narrowly avoided walking into a murder scene. A man had just come out of a liquor store — a place I’ve been to plenty of times — and was shot dead right outside. No argument, no warning. Just gone. A few minutes earlier, and I might’ve been caught in it too.

Memorials Mark the Map

All around the neighborhood, we’re seeing candles and teddy bears at random corners. Burger stands. Sidewalks. Even near parking lots and thirsty palm trees. These makeshift memorials have become markers for the lives lost — reminders that we don’t live in a “post-crime” Los Angeles, no matter what the city wants to promote.

And yet, no one seems to talk about these spaces — the invisible trail of trauma that we see every week, sometimes every day.

It’s Not All Bad — But It’s Definitely Not All Good

I’m not here to bash the LAPD or city officials trying to show progress. If things are truly improving in some areas, that’s a good thing. But let’s not pretend we’re all experiencing that progress equally. There are two versions of LA right now: one in official reports, and another that we live in every day.

When I talk to people around here — neighbors, folks at the gas station, parents picking up their kids — we all say the same thing: it doesn’t feel safer. If anything, it feels more unstable, more unpredictable. It’s like we’re waiting for something worse to happen, hoping it doesn’t, but not feeling too confident that it won’t.

Why Platforms Like LA Connexion Matter

That’s why LA Connexion isn’t just another online directory. It’s a space created for us — to speak truth, share experiences, and build awareness across the city. We can’t rely on headlines alone. We need a space where community voices matter, where lived experience is valued just as much as “official” data.

This platform isn’t about fear — it’s about awareness. It’s about empowering residents to stay informed, to share what’s really going on, and to support each other through connection, resources, and visibility.

Stay Aware. Stay Safe. Stay Connected.

📱 Tip: If you haven’t already, download the Citizen app. It’s not perfect, but it gives you a clearer picture of what’s happening in your area in real time. You’ll be surprised how much goes unreported on mainstream news.

🌐 Also: If you’re a local business owner, artist, vendor, or even just someone who wants to contribute to the community voice — LA Connexion is for you.List your business. Share your story. Connect with people who actually live what you live. This is our platform — and together, we can build something real.