The future of Watts and Compton

I was browsing the LA Times and I came across two articles about two of the most infamous neighborhoods in Los Angles, Watts and Compton. The first article, by the Associate Press, published last week discusses the dramatic decline of crime in Compton. The article notes that "The notoriously high murder rate once propelled Compton to No. 1 on a list of the nation's 20 most dangerous cities. But that rate has now been slashed by more than half -- from 65 killings in 2005 to 28 in 2008, the lowest since 1985."

The article presents transforming the neighborhood as a struggle against gangs, explaining that "residents are reclaiming neighborhoods from gangs." They partially attribute the rise of gang violence to the glorification of Compton by "gangsta rap". By writing raps such as "Straight Outta Compton" and "It's a Compton Thang." In the late 1990s and 2000s, Compton received the aid from the city that it finally needed. Millions of dollars have been spent on improvements including townhouses and a weapon-exchange program. Big box retailers have also been recruited to a new shopping center in the area. Gangs have been largely driven out by neighborhood watches and more extensive police patrols. Despite strong evidence of dramatic improvements, I was surprised that the Times article doesn't quote anybody resentful of the changed racial makeup or the intrusion of multi-million dollar shopping center. Have the efforts really been a complete success or did the Times not to choose to interview critics for fear of undermining redevelopment efforts?

The second article describes a 1 billion dollar housing redevelopment project in Watts that will replace the notorious Jordan Downs housing project which was original developed for war workers during World War II. The project will replace 700 rundown dilapidated units with mixed-use buildings to house both low-income residents and others. The plan also includes space for a significant retail presence that they hope will be drawn to the area. Unsurprisingly, the plan is controversial. While most agree with the premise of the project, they question whether the Los Angeles housing authority can properly manage and construct the project. Furthermore, some community activists feel that residents are being left out of the discussions.

Like so many of the communities we have read about in class, the residents of Watts despreately want change. Since the 1992 riots, the neighborhood has had a national reputation as one of the worst neighborhoods in the country. I found the last interview in the article the most enlightening:

Among them is Keyon Johnson, 22, who grew up in the project and still lives there with his mother and younger brother. Johnson said he is worried officials will not keep their promise that all residents will be able to move into the new urban village.

"Right now they're selling the dream," he said. "Everything under the sun has been promised to Jordan Downs, but nobody ever delivered."

Still, he's excited about the upgrade. The current feel of his community, he said, "looks like bunkers. It has the feel that there's war going on." His mother, he said, deserves better.

It seems to me that one of the hardest struggles in any sort of public works project is gaining the support of the affected residents. Raising the necessary millions of dollars is no small task, but without the support and enthusiasm of locals, the project will be sentenced to the same dilapidated fate as its predecessor.

[1] Compton eyes comeback as murders fall to new low. Los Angeles Times, February 27, 2009
[2] L.A. Officials envision revitalization for Jordan Downs housing project in Watts. Los Angeles Times, February 28, 2009