#skidrow #homelesslosangeles #germaninvenice #homelessness #streetlife
Night Stalker Real Skid Row Homeless Encampments Los Angeles. Lets go on a night walk thru the heart of skid row as people settle in for the evening. Not everyone here has a tent for semi comfort so lines form to get into the shelters before they fill up. It can be challenging at night on skid row because crimes are easier to commit and less people are out so between drug deals its not easy to stay alive on skid row, and we have fewer police patrols here at night.
Skid Row, a name that echoes through time, conjures images of struggle, hardship, and a community on the fringes. Let’s delve into its fascinating history and the shadows that haunt its streets.
The Origins of Skid Row
The term “Skid Row” has roots dating back to the 17th century when it referred to a log road used for dragging logs through woods and bogs. Over time, it came to signify logging camps and mills along the Pacific Coast. However, our focus lies in the heart of Los Angeles.
Seattle’s Influence
In the 1850s, Seattle, Washington, thrived on lumber. In logging camps, a “Skid Road” was a path carved through forests where oxen dragged felled logs to sawmills. Seattle’s sawmills were near the water, and logs slid down steep streets, lubricated with bacon grease or salmon oil. The area around these sawmills became populated by lumberjacks and mill workers, leading to the unsavory district known as Skid Road or Skid Row.
Skid Row in Los Angeles
By the late 1800s, Los Angeles had its own Skid Row. It became a congregating spot for hobos, transient workers, and those escaping their past lives. The area attracted people struggling with addiction, serious mental health issues, and economic hardship. Bars, brothels, and cheap residential hotels dotted the landscape.
The Mid-20th Century
By the 1960s, Skid Row was downtrodden and dangerous, scaring away businesses. The city took action, enforcing stricter housing standards for single resident hotels in the area. Despite challenges, Skid Row endured, becoming synonymous with last-resort neighborhoods for the destitute.
Skid Row Today
Fast-forward to the present: Skid Row remains a stark reality. Between 8,000 and 11,000 people inhabit its 50 city blocks. Some live on the streets, others in shelters or single-room occupancy hotels. The population is predominantly Black and male, with increasing numbers of women and children. Veterans make up about 20% of residents.
The Dark Side
Skid Row’s struggles persist. Overdoses plague the area, with fatalities linked to drugs like fentanyl. Tranq (xylazine), a dangerous “zombie drug,” has raised concerns. It’s not an opioid but is often mixed with substances like fentanyl. Sadly, the deaths of three people near Union Rescue Mission underscore the ongoing crisis.
Skid Row’s story is one of resilience, hardship, and the human spirit’s struggle against adversity. Amidst the shadows, organizations strive to make a difference, offering hope to those who call Skid Row home.
For more information, explore the Skid Row Housing Trust and the Union Rescue Mission.
9 сен 2024
