Los Angeles: Safety

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Safety

In L.A., as in any other major American city, street smarts and common sense are your best methods of staying safe. At night, avoid areas that are deserted or unlighted. When driving in unfamiliar areas, plan your route ahead of time rather than figuring it out on the way. Do not respond to people offering cab rides or help with your luggage.

Keep valuables out of sight on the street or, better yet, leave them at home. Men should carry wallets in front pants pockets rather than in back pockets. Do not hang purses or backpacks on the back of chairs or put them on empty neighboring seats. Keep your belongings close; for example, tuck your bag between your feet at a movie theater. Money belts and waist packs peg you as a tourist; if you carry a purse, consider one with a thick strap that can be worn across the body, bandolier-style. When leaving your car, put any valuables out of sight; put all the windows up and lock all doors and the trunk.

The most concentrated homeless population in the city is downtown, and on some blocks panhandling is common. Hollywood and Santa Monica are other areas where you're most likely to be approached for money or food.

After years in decline, gang-related violent crime has recently been on the rise, prompting aggressive new antigang initiatives. Gang-related street violence is concentrated in certain neighborhoods; South L.A., Compton, and Watts should be avoided, particularly at night.

Of the Metro lines, the Red and Green lines are the safest and are more heavily patrolled. The Blue Line can be sketchy after dark. Avoid riding in empty cars, and move with the crowd when going from the station to the street.

Earthquake Safety

Very minor earthquakes occur frequently in southern California; most of the time they're so slight that you won't notice them at all. If you do feel a stronger tremor, follow basic safety precautions. If you're indoors, take cover in a doorway or under a table or desk -- whichever is closest to you. Protect your head with your arms. Stay clear of windows, mirrors, or anything that might fall from the walls. Do not use elevators. If you're in an open space, move away from buildings, trees, and power lines. If you're outdoors near buildings, duck into a doorway. If you're driving, slow down and pull over to the side of the road, avoiding overpasses, bridges, and power lines, and stay inside the car. Expect aftershocks; if you feel a smaller quake following a larger tremor, take cover again.