Los Angeles Living

I SAW that! And the tourists have to sign a waiver of liability? Hehehe! Only in LA could something like this happen...I love LA!

Jane - whoda thought folks would want to go on tours like this. Gotta admire the creativity and for doing something that could help improve these areas. Not sure I would go on such a tour, however. Could make an interesting localism video, don't you think?

Jeff

I think it is a Little strange, but you know it will peek interest of people. Just like chasing tornados...lol

Jeff Dugan

So let me understand ...Is this like CSI - LA with a twist ?  My how the earnest lurk. Sounds like a way to positively point to green pastures

Candice, yep, only in L.A. But it's like Willie Sutton said, after being asked why he robbed banks "because that's where the money is".  We have the gangs.

Jeff,  you first with the camera.  If you make it back I will follow :)

Jeff,  I'd rather chase the tornadoes :)

Claude, want me to book you in :)

Hi Jane ~ I read about this somewhere.  Didn't they consider having people "shoot" at the bus with water pistols? I think there were a couple of other out-there ideas that didn't make the final plan for the tour. Unreal.

Liz

Which colors do I need to wear? or is it pants-on-the-ground simple. 

Hi Jane, I clicked on the link to see where the tour bus goes. This is an interesting concept and if it works to create jobs and maybe take a few out of the gangs, more power to them.  I'm not sure I would want to go, but obviously, a lot of people do!  and you have so many famous criminals, too :-)

I was a criminologist in my former life. This is bad, bad, bad on so many fronts.  Gangs are real life, people!!!  It's not some show that you can turn on and off, for God's sake!  Lives are lost, families are torn apart, kids are raised without stability, and THIS IS REAL LIFE!  Unbelievable.  I'm sorry, but absolutely unbelievable. What, is ALL of life a reality TV show -- pay your ticket and you're in?  I love the idea of job creation.  I love the idea of ceasefires.  I detest the idea of fake peace created by money and the glamorization of gangs. -- Tanya in Montreal

This seems very odd to me. Anytime we glamorize crime or any type of undesirable behavior we are risking contributing to the problem. I think this is very strange. I also think it is a matter of time before it backfires and leads to some unfortunate event. The tour effectively gives almost any disgruntled gang member a platform.

Jane:

This sounds exciting (and dangerous.)  I hope the organizers of these tours have a very, very good insurance policy.

Liz,  I think you are right.

Claude,  from what I hear from Jane I think you are better off in other parts of L.A. if you know what I mean.

Mary,  C'mon, where's your sense of adventure!

Tanya,  you are right.  But if it stops even one killing, it would be worth it.  And who knows, it could catch on.

John,  let's hope not.

Claudette,  don't forget the passengers are signing a waiver.

Jane, Believe it or not I heard about this in New York.  I thought it was a wonderful idea and hope they continue them.  Years ago we did this in Chicago and it was the only way we dared to see certain parts of it.  I loved the tour and am not at all surprised it sold out!

WHOA!  Interesting concept but this is just a little too scary for me.

Carole,  they talk about the Chicago tour but I believe it was a prohibition era gangsta tour. But maybe they got it wrong. This is supposed to be the only one of its kind. 

So when are you going, Jane?  Think of the interesting blog you could share with us!

Leolinda, I am starting a new businesss, bullet proof vests.

Bruce, you first.

Jane, I am old fashioned.  Ladies first!

Bruce, so am I - age before beauty.

I can live with that, Jane! 

Definitely an interesting idea...

Ok Jane, I'll go if you go, and if you and Bruce can decide who gets on the bus first!

Tony,  interesting and risky.

Mary,  I'm, waiting.

Jane,

That's a crazy idea. Only in LA...

I'm not sure if I like the idea, glamorizing crime.

Rich, I really don't think they are glamorizing it, I think it feeds the curiosity in people and maybe appeals to those who like danger.  It's a win-win too if the community gets something out of it.

I'm with Rich on this one Jane.  This is nuts.  But I'm just a country girl who shows up at knife fight with a shot gun, what do I know?

Tammy,  never mind all the others, if I take the tour you are coming with me.

I got confronted just taking pics of the homeless....nope...not going on this tour.

Sally,  I know what you mean.  I took someone touring through our homeless are and they were angry.  I don't blame them, they have their pride. 

Stephen, LOL.

So glad you've found a new stream of income with the vests - assuming you can come up with a design this is gangneutral. WoW! only in LA, huh? Or has it spread to NYC and Chicago?

OK-Jane I'll go first, but only if its a TRICKED OUT low rider bus with spinning mag wheels with a good sound system, AND I get to sit next to Mary.

Huh?!?!?!?!?

I am not even sure if I know what to say this one, Jane.  A liability waiver? Really?  And isn't it a crime to charge $100 for the tour - are you kidding me?  I think I have heard it all now.

I'm on if Cosmo Kramer is driving the bus :).

Oh yeah, rent bullet proof vests!  Are the gangs getting a cut of the proceeds since they are basically charging a toll to drive through their turf?

I have worked in East LA, at a large grocery store and saw first hand the horror of the gangs. This is SO wrong! Don't buy into this! It's one more way for them to get your money. Nothing good will come of this.

I'l go if Arnold comes with me

Why not. I won't be going, but for those that want to go, see and feel a little piece of history, have at it. Not for me though.

Thank you

Having lived in Los Angeles for many years and having accidentally driven through some of these areas (always trying to find a short cut to avoid the Los Angeles traffic), I can't believe that anyone would put themselves in this situation.  Good luck to them, but you won't see me signing up! 

I am shocked. You wouldn't find me on that tour on a bet. Not a good idea!

I'd only go if I could carry a concealed weapon.

Seriously though, I agree with Tanya #10.  Is there anything we won't do for profit? 

Pretty sad statement about our society that someone will promote this and then people pay and sign-up! It almost legitimizes the gang activity in some weired sort of way.

I only hope the gangs are not encouraged to "perform" when the tour bus rolls around...

I am dumbfounded by this venture even though it is very innovative.  I would think LA would focus on a better way to help the citizens of these communities and neighborhoods instead of highlighting gang violence as an asset.

Hi Jane,

I had not heard of this, but I have to agree with Tanya  (#10) and Cathy (#39) - it's a BAD idea. These vicarious 'thrill-seekers' going on the tour don't have a clue. The first time they have a real encounter with a gang, or have someone shoot at them in drive-by, or see someone killed in a street fight, they'll change their tune. Trust me, I know.

If the tour bus was full of Realtors and the bus passed a FISBO, I would feel sorry for the gang that got in the way.

With the number of documentaries and the television series' such as "Gangland" and "Lock Down" this doesn't seem all that surprising to me. But I think I'd rather tune in

Jane

I live in LA and should be surprised but I'm not.    Think I'll stick with the wild roller coaster rides.  They're safer.  But hey if it helps bring in more taxes to the City, then whom am I to complain.

Pat Norwine,   www.PatriciaNorwine.com            1/21/10

If this excites anyone , try a trip to Iraq or Pakistan . I hear the open air markets cannot be beat. For a trip closer to home maybe GITMO. The Marines are very accommodating, much more so than a LA Gang Banger.Does the phraise " suck them in then rip them off " ring a bell to anyone ?

Hi Jane!  Win-win was what came to my mind too!  And, hey, you've been discovered dahling!!

;-)

Shocking!  I suppose there will be an insurance salesperson there to sign people up for life insurance policies.  :)

I, personally, think it is a horrible idea. If it were a thing of the past (ie...this is where the gangs used to fight, etc. etc. that would be different.)  If the person who negotiated a cease-fire with the gangs crosses one gang member...it could be curtains for the tour bus.

Designated routes and times are being honored by participating gangs. What about the non-participating gangs?

Don't you wonder how that idea came into being? Talk about "thinking outside of the box." Someone's sure doing it.

It seems pretty risky to me. I went to the website and read a little more. So, the gangs have agreed to a cease fire at certain times and places.  When was the last time a criminal was honorable too? What about the "stray" bullet that oops went inside the cease fire zone by "accident"? Jane, we like you, don't go! :)

OMG - that is amazing. I want to see this. Seriously!!! We have a Gang Task Force up here and some of my friends still work Gang Intelligence on Riker's Island. Wait until I forward this link. Damn girl, you are gonna make me fly out there a lot sooner than I thought (LOL).

Featured @ Club Chaos

Congrats on the feature...

LA Gang Tours - and just where are there no gangs in LA, is my question?  I've been there and done that - barely surviving the 92 Riots, thank you very much.

John

I think my family and I went on this tour about 15-20 years ago, quite by accident when we were "touristing" in Los Angeles. No, it was not fun, and yes, it was scary.  If it creates a cease fire for even one day, then it's probably a good thing. Maybe that will give the gang member time to realize how stupid the  whole thing is.

I think it's a creative idea and it's also exploiting the gang members. I don't know. In some correctional institutions inmates are employed, produce goods which are sold--they learn a trade and this is "supposed" to help them when they re-enter society--not sure on this one

Why should we paying attention and glamorizing criminals?  I can't believe there are people patronizing this type of activities.  In my opinion the promoter of these tours is as corrupted as the gang members.

Well, if this catches on, perhaps for an additional $50.00 a side tour through a crack house? The tour could end at the ER and morgue.

Perhaps though EVERYONE should be FORCED to take a tour through those neighborhoods? No one should have live like that. (and don't give me that crap about "them" "choosing") Any suggestions?

This is neither innovative nor news; "Real" but risky, Rio favelas draw tourism was published in the Seattle Times back in 2007.  And I've been aware of the concept as far back as 1987.  Rio De Janiero's favelas or slums are notorious for drugs and gunfire, yet people willingly sign-up for the tours.  Go-figure?

Jane - Thank you for so succinctly putting into words what I have been thinking! 

I heard about this on the radio. This is just crazy!!! Imagine the most successful tour would be one where they see something "go down" that is so sick, I can't even believe it.

After the tour an optional side tour is swimming in a tank sharks that haven't been fed for a week. I guess people will sign up for anything.

Sounds like a new up and coming business! Just think of all the jobs we can create.

This is stupid on so many levels. Why not take this ignorant concept further and put homeless people in the L.A. Zoo so tourists can stare at them? How will this tour improve anyone's situation? It's like slowing down at an accident scene. Bad decision.

Is this one or two steps shy of Westworld?  That did not turn out so well...

Stranger things have happened and yet there are still some surprises left.  You'd have to be pretty courageous to take part in the tour and extremely optimistic in it's success.  I hope it accomplishes its goal, but I'm afraid I could only contribute financially (without actually taking the tour)

I can't say that I would take the tour- but it could be good for a  deliquesnt child heading in the wrong direction... 

Jane:  I'm thinking that this has "GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY" written all over it for you!  Maybe, you could sponsor the bullet-proof vests they wear on the bus ... you know .. your advertising sprawled all over it just like Nike!  Think it over Jane ...  I think the idea's a winner.  I mean, just think of the great slogans you could have printed on the back of these things!  Uhhhh, for sure ... people wouldn't forget you!!!

Gene

I have to agree with Tanya....where does it stop. If the tours catch on, Miami might want to import more gangs so they can have their own tours. Hey wait what about small communities? Will there be enough gangs to go around. Maybe we can get more people to join so we can franchise the business. I have another idea...what if tourist pay the government and they can ride with the swat teams as members and go in to clean out the gang problems or maybe they could all jump in and clean the areas to make them more livable. My former life was in the Sheriff Department and I don't see how encouraging gang activity by paying them will help take care of the problem.

Jane,

It is an edgy idea, and yes, it is so Los Angeles, which is why I love LA.  When we lived in Los Angeles, and had adopted schools as our education project for our company, we were at a large meeting with principals and other educators.  A lovely woman, (the principal)  came up to me and asked me if Ron and I would come to Compton and speak or would we be too scared?  We said, yes we would.  It was an eye opener from driving there to parking in a school with ten foot high fences, barbed wire and police guarding the kids.  Sometimes, we need to see it full on to understand that in a country such as ours so on the leading edge, so caring (just look at how much money we raised for Haiti, in Santa Barbara (barely a 100,000 people) 10 million in a day), that we do need to look at the pictures of the less glam areas of Los Angeles, like we looked at the earthquake devastations.

Thanks for bringing this up.

The spirit of P.T. Barnum rides again.

And if a rival gang feels that they are not getting a large enough slice of the "pie', then what? Tour bus invasion?

I do hope Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson ride near the front of the bus.

Seems to me it would take quite the moron to hop on this "family fun ride" like any gang life they have to live the life. Good luck and i pray for the safety of anyone who buys that ticket.

Wow.... I have been touting the need for small business to think out of the box to get our economy back on track.  I never imagined this kind of creativity.  Just goes to show; there's something for everyone.  If nothing else good comes of this idea, perhaps it will stimulate other innovate but less risky ventures. Gotta love the American spirit!

Okay this is just such an illustration of the level of sickness rampant in our society.  Pay gangsters to glorify what they do, put yourself in harms way so somebody can take your money... WITH YOUR PERMISSION!!!  Stupid is as stupid does. 

I guess anything can happen in a country where a Cosmo model just got elected to fill the seat vacated by somebvody who didn't LOSE the seat after Chappaquidick.   We are sick, sick, sick. 

I think May #80 has the right of it

You have to be kidding, unfortunately your not, this glamorizes the gangs and there member, and legitimizes in theior mind their "territory" claims and the feeling of the power that they have which in their mind increases by having people gawk at them on their turf.  All they are doing is encouraging the gangs to grow bigger and stronger.

It may be legal to do, but it is so dumb and so wrong.

Jane, Congrats on the feature.

You could build your business by taking the tour each month and passing out business cards to the other patrons. Talk about a captive audience.

I wonder if they stop at any trinket shops for a little bit of shopping. "Gangland Emporium." Spent bullet casings, switchblades, pieces of the brick that bashed Reginald Denny, colored bandanas, etc. You know, stuff to bring home for the kids!

Good or bad - it certainly got out attention. I happened to live through the LA Rodney King riot when I was living there. Now this tour will give people a chance to understand and hopefully to take heed.

Who in the world came up with the idea and how did they get the city's permission?  Liability insurance must be through the roof (or should be).  Plenty of lawsuits show those waivers to be non-inforceable in the case of an accident.

The city is already broke so maybe they thought, what the heck, sue us, you can't get anything!

Interesting.

When I read this I was stunned by how insanely stupid the whole idea was... LAPD should shut it down immediately.  The first time some home boy decides to take a pot shot at a tourist to show  how tough he is, the City of LA will be sued for big bucks.. waiver or no waiver.  There is nothing glamourous about gang neighborhoods or gang life. 

I read about this last week in the San Diego Union Tribune and my first thoughts were "why?"  I can't imaging someone actually wanting to do this!? 

If you get an AR group together to go, I'll fly to LA! (I wouldn't need much of an excuse to fly to LA in the winter!)  And hahaha to Pat Kennedy (#48)

Like comedian Chris Rock said, he went to Africa on a Safari and the tourists started taking pictures of him! This Gangsta' Safari sounds pretty close to that, look mom, a real Gangster! Now if we can just combine the two, issue each passenger an M-16 we could do gangsta safari and solve some dang problems.  Of course this is meant as a joke, but what do you expect when commenting on something that is exploiting gangters- can you exploit gangsters? I dunno, but the whole thing is weird.

Don't normally comment here, but this one is so dumb one just has to.  Honestly who cares and WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH REAL ESTATE.  Anybidy else other there find Active Rain a waste of time?

Wow, what an interesting tour - not sure I would be brave enough though!

Jane - This is one of the most innovative solutions to a problem I have ever heard! I sincerely hope it brings about constructive change.

Debi

This would NOT be a tour I'd be interested in attending!  Sign a waiver??? Not a chance!

Sounds like some kind of wussy gang tour to me, the Bloods and the Crips are getting soft in their old age.

In Vancouver we have the UN Gang & the Red Scorpions, no cease fire here!  Live weekly killings of each other that has been going on for 2 or 3 years now.  Come see the building in Surrey where the Surrey 6 were shot dead, check out where Jamie Bacon the head of the UN Gang lived in Port Moody before he was arrested! Learn about Marijuana Grow Operations & Smuggling! Fun for the whole family!

I have to agree with Tonya Nuwens. It's unbeleivable!, But a creative way to try and create jobs. If anything, maybe this will get others thinking outside the box on how to create jobs and stop a little of the madness in these areas. I wish them luck!

Derenda

"Which colors do I need to wear?".  Thanks Claude (#8).  That was priceless.

It is a free country but it sounds kind of weird to me.  I know there is a football team down there that has brought together some gangs as they do positive work with their kids.

We have always glamorized criminals in this country. It started in the old country with Robin Hood (Hood?) and how many movies and books do we support dealing with the James gang? This is great! A chance at a profit in a downturned economy? Why not take a shot at it. What was it that triggered the concept? Were a couple of people hammered in the bar one night and decided it would be a barrel of laughs? Really, a high caliber undertaking! (double pun ten points!)

ugh...reminds me of all the tv shows about dead people.

I hate turning the tv on to find an autopsy in progress.  Nasty, nasty. 

The Norwegian street gangs from the rural Midwest are the roughest, toughest bunch of hoodlums. 

...the authorities appear to have no control over the area; your neighborhood is next...

Very Creative and Cool!! Anything to help keep the residents from dieing and kiiling eachother over turfs and colors!! Revitalizing the area or creating jobs wouldn't hurt either. I'd like to see more of us as a community help eachother in the struggles of life. Nice Post!! :D

Hey Jane,

Thanks for bringing this up, as you know, a lot is happening in LA with the gangs. 

I wish you would have put a little more light on who operates this tour (Alfred Lomas), who is one of the few with enough guts and knowledge to help. He also has the strength of the Lord with him, and his efforts should be lauded, not dismissed as antics. 

Trust me when I say, if anyone is going to help these neighborhoods stand tall, this guy is one the top of the list. Don't believe me? Ask the Mayor. 

I am surprised that SO many people here are commenting with no insight or research on the subject - I sure hope this is not how you sell real estate. 

OMG-I have now heard everything. I was born and raised in a suburb of LA and this isn't funny.

Is it true your IQ has to be 60 or less to buy a ticket?

The Entrepreneurial Spirit That Built This Country Is Alive And Well. Congratulations Al Lomas for helping the economy and your community. LA GANG TOURS is to use the profits from the tours to create jobs and provide opportunities for the residents of South Central, LA

Love it, Love it, Love it.   My girlfriend used to live in Compton!

I dont know why everyone is shocked at this. For thrill seekers?? This is better than base-jumping. :-)

Wow, it's so stupid it just may work! Until someone gets shot or they decide to rob the whole bus.... Really, this is not a safari people, it's real life and they know the bus schedule! This is hilarious.

Saw this in the LA Times and thought it sounded enterprising -- (and maybe a bit dangerous.)

Ill bring my AK and colors. we should study up on our gang signs:)

One question:  Should I wear red or blue?

Hi all, I started to answer each one of you individually and halfway through there was a blip and I lost all my comments.  So, in the interest of trying to get back to some work I will address some specific points:

I don't endorse these tours, I just thought it was a newsworthy issue.  I cannot see how one bus a month at $100 a head is going to do much good in that community.  The problem is far too great.  Youths need to be educated and given a purpose other than joining a gang.

Cathy, I would imagine this would strike home after having worked in that area and Lisa, I have also driven through those areas with my heart in my throat.  Way too many random shootings to feel safe. 

C.  thanks for the feature and why did I think this would pique your interest?

Debe,  what hath thou wrought!

Gene, behave!

Alexandra,  that is amazing, $10M in a day. Why do we always jump when there is a disaster in another country and pour in so much aid when a week's worth of that generosity could solve a ton of problems in this one.

Mark Hall,  now, now.

Mark LeMenager, firstly, I would say AR is the wrong place for you to he if you "don't usually comment", secondly, this post is about Los Angeles, which I think is the city in which I am working, and thirdly, thank you for giving up some of your valuable time to comment.  Everyone's opinion is welcomed.

Terkel,  thanks for shedding some light on the originator of these tours.  I guess everyone has to make their own minds up about the wisdom of it all though.

Pretty twisted way to bring positives to a neighborhood. I, for one, would want no parts of this "reality show"

At least they are not offereing a Tour of the "Mortgage Industry"- Now that would be really scary and twisted!

Ben,  LOL a post in itself.

If I were closer to LA, I would certainly go. Count me in!

That's scary, risky and lot's of liability. Why would we want to glamorize the gangs? No way Jose. We should have a tour of successful citizens who rose from poverty to success.

Jane, a hot issue indeed.  Thanks for raising our awareness about this event and thanks for bringing "gangs" into our thoughts.  It is only with awareness that the potential for real good can arise.  And only time will tell if such an event has a positive impact.   ----Gloria

It never ceases to amaze me what some people's idea of entertainment is!

It's great that the tour operators are able to negociate a cease-fire for the duration of the tour through the neighborhood & that jobs are created... my concern is that when the novelty wears out & business slows down, the gangs decide to have more acts of violence in order to increase business. I personally would prefer to see their creativity geared toward something that is more positive!

Jane...

Claude's gun :) He has to be very, very careful with it.

Don't you think it is funny that the gangs have agreed to subside their dealings during certain tour times!  Very funny!

Jane,  yeah right, like that's Claude's stomach.

Saves the gangs from having to trek across town!!

Great idea- provide gangs with money to buy ammo to shoot each other (or you) with. Does anyone believe they will start a youth basketball team with the cash?

Jane, Okay...you got me...it's before Claude had his tattoo removed.

Can't wait for the headlines..................gangs take out busload of tourists for intruding on their territory!  Tired of the lookieloos.........................

. . . hmmmm,  I'm glad I left Southern California a long time ago.

Anyone want to buy a nice peaceful country farm in Kentucky ???

Well there is just about something for everyone available in California isn't there.  I'm sure someone thinks/thought this was a great idea.  Hopefully this will not have a baaaaddddd ending.

Thank you all for your continued comments and lively discussion.  Do know that I will not be taking this tour any time soon, nor putting it on the list of must-sees of any out-of-town visitors.

Gloria Todor reblogged this with an article just written about the tour.  And you will see that NPR is broadcasting a piece about it tonight at 7:00 p.m.

U r thr happy puppy....hehe..u get great comments toooo

That's crazy!  I was in LA about 10 years ago on assignement with the military.  I was driving around and saw a sign for Compton.  I almost took the exit to see what it was like, but all the gansta rap songs and movies flooded my mind so I kept going.  ;)   I didn't want to get capped.  LOL!

That's crazy - but I suppose it could work.  Then they can have their own TV show.

I saw a piece on this on TV.  I'm uncertain just what to think about this.  The waivers are a good idea for the tour company, but I wonder what the gang members think about this!  It amazes me what some people will look to for entertainment.

Enterprising idea.  Gangs are forged out of poverty and a sense of needing a family.  If these guys can hook up a business that brings cease fires, money and jobs into their community, good for them.  It will also bring a spotlight on a difficult area that needs and wants to turn itself around.

Kathleen Barnato  South Coast of Santa Barbara county (north of Los Angeles!)

They can take the tour after they finish going to a taping of "The Jerry Springer Show". LOL....

How ingenious! Only in America...This is what I call a "land off opportunity".

Thanks for sharing.

I can see this becoming a franchise, spreading to other big cities like Chicago, NYC, Miami, Wash DC, etc. If it does, I'm buying a stake in bullet-proof vest sales anad personal protection devices...

Are you kidding me?!  This can ONLY make things worse! These dumb dumbs are going to start to think they are a tourist attraction, which is going to make them act out and act more ignorantly!! These people need attention and support, HOWEVER, NOT in this way. Next they will be fighting and showing off to see who's name and reputation is spoken of amongst the "lookie loo's"!

Sounds like a massively brilliant idea .. Could use the same concept in Vancouver's drug infested Downtown East Side.

 photos: Emily Parsons 

And I agree with KWESI CHILDRESS  "These people need attention and support"

Raj I don't know if someone will $100 for a tour throu Vancouver east side. Somethings only hapen in LA you know.

Who me?!

What happens in LA stays in LA?  hummm I am South of LA and no thank you!!! I will not be attenting the event... I watch FOX NEWS and wath the blood   lol

Unlike #129 above, I loved LA and the OC, but just got to pricy for my blood.

I worked from Beverly Hills to San Diego and all areas in between including East LA, Compton, Watts, etc. in the retail grocery business and my wife worked for a food brokerage and when a new store in any area of the three county area, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties and even Riverside and San Bernardino came online for her brokers products, we would discuss the area and exactly what products would and wouldn't sell in that particular store due to the demographics and rarely were we wrong.

On a trip between LA and KY we took the central route through Kansas one trip right after the LA riots and I looked over and saw a Food 4 Less, not knowing at that point that Food 4 Less actually started in this neck of the woods, I told my son to get off at the exit and lets take a look.

Once inside the store and letting an employee know that we were from LA and my wife worked for a food broker, all hell broke loose. We didn't know what was going on, this employee started calling for all the other employees to come over and talk to us.

You see the employees for Food 4 Less, at least in the Kansas area, were employee owners of some kind and everyone wanted to know if what they had been told about 40 Food 4 Less and Alpha Beta, which were owned by Food 4 Less at that time too, stores being either totally looted or burnt to the ground was the truth, as their stock had really taken a hit due to the riots and we told them that sadly, it was the truth and that they weren't being lied to.

I will never forget that day and how sad these people were to learn this sad fact of the gang areas of LA and after that, at least at that time, they had to pay the big grocery companies to build stores in these areas, or they wouldn't take the risk and who would blame them, as this was just the losses for Food 4 Less, and the other companeis like Lucky's, Ralphs, Vons, Safeway, Albertsons, etc. lost stores too. I don't really know how many total stores were lost, but it was a lot for sure.

At that time I was managing the meat department of a Lucky store along the 91 freeway in Buena Park and due to the loss of all these stores, my store really got busy, even miles away from the Watts/Compton area they cleaned us out, sales wise, in our case anyway.

My take is that this is a bad idea and I would not take the tour no matter what, but then that is just me. I see Somolia written all over this.

Jane - hard to believe that people would actually pay for this and sign a waiver to do it...sounds like a sad reality show.  I guess it is a enterprising and creative idea to raise money in a legal fashion where the youth need help, but not sure I would want to go on this tour........

Jane, I just tweeted the website. May be the wrong time of night, but wanted it to go out. Personally, I subscribe to the oft-quoted Margaret Mead "Never understimate the power..." Individuals CAN re-order their lives--sometimes the impetus comes from without, and sometimes from within.

Interesting... Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, Celebrity Home Tour and Gangland Tour..

It will sure be interesting to see where this leads. I would be too chicken to go on the tour though!

That is quite the multi-tasking venture.  Exposure to real estate one would usually not consider, keep crime down, give employment to the area and give thrill seekers a "run perhaps" for their money.  Wonder how the stats are working out?

I find it interesting that what the local people perceive as a bad area here in Utah.  The people from LA I have showed the same areas have a much different perception.

WOW... this is mind blowing. I have many things to do in life, I don't think this is one of them.

This falls into what I brought up two years ago, that the day will come when we can pay to watch executions and beheadings on TV. Some creative person could probably get with Iran or a country like that and put this together and make a fortune now on the internet.

I think this is brilliant. First it brings money to the area, then it begins to diversilfy the views of these areas, large buisinesses will start to come in, then residential flipps will begin, then small businesses will follow.

Hello Jane - What will they thinks of next!  Sounds like lots of good can come from this.

I was out of town yesterday, so couldn't get back to the latest comments.  Again, everyone, thank you for your valuable input.

Ed,  that was an interesting story.  I did not know that and it is indeed sad.  It is a Catch 22 situation doing business in those areas.  They need the influx, but what is the incentive for people to take the risk.  Thank you for your comment.

Jane like many have said I cannot believe people will not only sign a waiver but then PAY TO GO ON THIS TOUR.  Maybe all the money they are collecting will help clean up these areas and get the homeless off the streets.

That's CRAZY!!!!  Only in L.A....

Anything for a buck!! Thats why they hate us!!!!

OK, now this is really entrepreneural!  Not sure that I'd want to test the cease fire, but what a great way to raise money in the community!

We have something similar in NYC - it's called the subway.

LOL at Jesse!

Have a great week dear!  :-)

Yep, there are some humorists here :)

I saw some late TV and they were talking about it on something over the weekend. Sounded like part of the advantage was that perhaps the police would spend some time there as well to protect the rich tourists so it would contribute to lessening crime. Do you know if this is true? That would be nice, slow it down at least.

I really hope that it works.

Jerri,  I really don't know about the police being there, but it is only a couple of hours once a month, so I doubt that will make a difference.  I really don't think anything will make a dent in the gangs until these people are given something else to live for.

The whole reality TV has gotten people so desanitize they are just simply stupid sometimes. All who get on the bus are stupid. One day we'll hear on the news how the cease fire stopped right when someone was pledging to get in a gang and they had to shot an innocent from the bus. Then what will they say?

Are the gangs the new LA zoo?

I'm sure that will put an end to the gang problem!

Thanks for sharing all the best tours in LA :)  Good gracious Jane - 167 comments!

I cannot see any positives in glamorizing gang violence and desensitizing gawking tourists to the pain it causes the residents of South Central LA.

This is BAD on so many levels, it's crazy!!!! This is not a fantasy ride at Disneyland. This will definetly end in a horrific disaster!! Cease fire, truce... call it what you want, we'll see how long that's going to last.

You have to admire the entreprenurial spirit! People are sooo curious these days - just look at the explosion of reality tv. I don't think people should worry about these tours glamorizing crime - that happened back in the days of Jesse James and hasn't really stopped.

I appreciate your continued comments, guys.  I am reading them.

Hello

I love it!  WOW - As Lee & Carol Barbour indicated above, 167 comments!  I have lived in the beautiful eclectic Greater Los Angeles Area and I have a passion for the arts!  But gee....this might be just too much for me!     

I like graffiti, but not a fan of vandalism! I enjoy making donations & supporting community relations, but not when they are selling T-shirts that read:"I Got Shot in South-Central" per Los Angeles Times!

On the other hand...It could be a very memorable experience!  Thank you for the post...

Hi Jane,

This is hysterical. While I would not be interested in taking the tour I commend the people who came up with the idea. It proves that if you just put in a little time you to can come up with a plan to provide a service or product that the public needs or desires and before you know it you have a thriving business.

Great localism post, Jane! I think I'll stick with the gangster in The Great Movie Ride!