Why Does South LA Have Gated Alleys? | History Behind Gated Alleys in South Central Los Angeles

Why Does South LA Have Gated Alleys? | History Behind Gated Alleys in South Central Los Angeles

Today we’re talking about alleys. Odds are, if you’ve driven in South Central LA, you’ve seen these green gates either guarding alleys or flung wide open. Believe it or not, the city is not responsible for anything in between these gated allies. And this story goes back to the mid 90s.

This is why the Los Angeles City Council created the Nuisance Alley Conversion Pilot Project, which foot the $3,700 per-alley bill to install these gates. T

By 1996, the program was a success in South Los Angeles

Let's connect on the web!

[SouthLARecap]

Do you know someone who lives by a gated alley? What’s their experience?

[GlamorousBehaviour]

Hi Eric. Thanks for this video! Found it doing research for the alley behind my house. We purchased our home in South LA but didn’t receive a key to the alley. Our neighbor told us the alley was there private property and won’t give us a key. We are a corner house and and our backyard has a huge gate that opens to it. We were told by 311 to contact our councilman for a key. Lol wish me luck!

[leiaunaanderson]

What a great video! I am a real estate agent and was researching these gated alleys for clients of mine and stumbled upon your video. I'm so glad I found your channel and thanks so much for great info about South LA!

[bellasalvador]

Live in South LA, on a street with gated alleys. Never thought to question why they were there. On my street, the alley has 5 gates. 2 gates on the ends, and one in the middle. They definitely never stopped illegal dumping. Thanks for teaching me something new about my neighborhood!

[NellyNelleNel]

I'm glad I came across this page!!!

[EricBrightwell]

Curran Price was talking about making some of them almost park-like and a Downtown BID was talking about Livable Alleys. South Los Angeles has so many. Imagine if they were upgraded instead of neglected and “vacationed” (what the city calls it when they wash their hands of streets and tell members of the public that it’s their problem now).

[ext]

I am doing research on alleyways and your video helps, thanks.

[bluebonbon]

I lived in a house for 9 years and never had a key to alley lock until the last year I lived there. Most of the alleys that are locked and supposed to be monitored by the people living on that block. The care of each alley falls to the home owners and some alleys that have strong block clubs monitoring them are well maintained. Some are impassible due to neglect, aka+= not my job.

[garybartholomew]

I grew up in Watts and never knew this... truly informative!

[jamesrandle]

Thank you for this great video. I have lived in South LA for the past 17 years. We have an alley behind our house and the gates are always open. Over the years crimes ranging from assault, drug dealing and arson have taken place in the alley. I’m your research, did you come across a process for homeowners to petition for having the alleys closed and homeowners being able to include and enclose their part of the alley so it becomes part of their back yard? It seems like it would solve a lot of the problems and it would finally give something positive back to the people of this community. Would be very interested in your thoughts on this. Thank you again for bringing great information on this area I’m your programming!

[benjaminescalante]

I appreciate it I lived on 77th and Broadway many years.
One there too.

[HYPERPANTHER]

These alleys are so so sketchy. I stayed by one and it was a constant struggle to clean trash/dumped material and buying new chains to lock up the gates after someone cut the chain or lock. I do not miss that alley at all. That said, having a functional alley in which residents can store their trash bins beautifies the area and imparts pride in a neighborhood. I sure wish they could find a way to maintain the alleys and perhaps limit dumping by making drop-offs more available.

[Shiloh]

Thank you for this video and explanation . I grew up in south L.A.( on 5th avenue off of Vernon Ave. ) during the 1960's. I remember as children riding our bikes down the alleys. I don't remember them even being overly messy. But times have changed and crime escalated over the years.

But a few years ago, when I returned to my old Neighborhood, I did notice the alleys fenced and locked. It gave me an odd feeling to see that. I guess what matters is how the people who live right next to the alleys feel about the situation...Has it prevented crime ? But do they feel its too much trouble for neighbors to get together and keep it clean ? Either way, thank you so much as you addressed the questions I had.

[jessicaminor]

Hi Eric! Very interesting information. Thanks for sharing!

[waldomonroy]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing- subscribed.

[TheSiren]

THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION. We have an alley that others has said belonged to everyone. Who do NOT LIVE ANYWHERE IN ADJACENT TO THIS ALLEY. Thank you

[shellythomas]

Hi, SOLAR. Just found your channel while looking for info regarding the 110 Fwy and if it's changed much since I last drove it about 10 years ago. Anyway, I'm loving learning the history about South LA, even though I'm a native and have lived in South all of my life. Hope your channel continues to grow. Love your delivery and pretty smile!!!

[lalomancillas]

im glad the alleys behind my grandmas house is not gated and being able to pass by. others near by do have gates being locked or broken into lol

[hernandezvoh]

Keep it going! Great info. I guess I’ll be going out there and moving the the trash to the front of the house! 🙄

[Bloodydawn]

damn living 25+ years here in south LA still there and never knew why there was a gate in the alley. Neighbor has a car blocking the gate now with a broken down car. Ive only seen it opened once.