My unsafe delivery site
I don’t read as much as I used (since becoming a parent). But I subscribe to the weekend LA Times. So I was bummed today when the newspaper was on my front porch, since I usually like to read the paper while I eat breakfast - all before Isa wakes up.
When I called the LA Times to see what had happened, the customer service rep informed me that my subscription had been canceled. When I asked why - since I hadn’t received anything about it being canceled & was current in my payments, she informed me that it was canceled because we are in a dangerous environment. When I expressed my shock at this discovery, she said the delivery person complained of being chased by gangs in this neighborhood and that they wouldn’t be able to continue service.
Having lived in Boyle Heights for 8 years now, I’m not naive to the presence and activity of the local gangs. Near the end of our first year here, 2 young men were shot and killed about 100 feet from our front door in a 2am shooting. For several years, the main conduit for drugs was run through a neighbors house.
And yet, we’ve never so much as had an awkward moment, let alone a dangerous one, due to the gangs here. Despite the ultr-violent, you-could-get-shot-at-any-moment caricature of urban life in the movie & TV industry, East LA doesn’t have the threat level that is perceived. And particularly in the blocks surrounding our house.
Quite frankly, I’ve been awake in the living room trying to get my daughter to sleep at 3am or 4am on numerous (too numerous) occasions in the last 2 years, only to be startled by the sound of the paper being tossed against my front windows. Other than that startling sound, there is otherwise little-to-no sound activity at that time of the morning, so I’m stunned in disbelief by what perception of danger could have caused my newspaper delivery to be canceled.
January 18th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Bummer! Sounds like “letter to the editor” time? Also, letter to the assemblyman time. Dad
January 19th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Although in all fairness, if the LAT deliveryman was confronted by one of the gang guys on the street it wouldn’t be a shock to me. That late at night, the only people out are the gang guys.
But that stinks for you. You might have to switch to a paper that does post-dawn deliveries.
January 19th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I agree with your Dad - it’s letter to the editor time!
Are there any other papers that will deliver to your area? I can’t imagine starting the day without a newspaper.
January 19th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I get the Wall Street Journal delivered & have not heard of any problems from them.
January 21st, 2008 at 12:04 am
What?!?! I’v never heard of that happening before. Sorry.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:58 am
How Rude! I can’t believe they would say that. I agree letter to the editor. Did you get reimbursed for your subscription?
February 4th, 2008 at 10:11 am
Great, thanks LAT! Give Boyle Heights people and community a bad reputation, not that we had one already, but we’re not the only community with its flaws.
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February 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Boyle Heights is one of the communities in Los Angeles County that has not suffered the effects of the housing crisses. Property values are steady and Boyle Heights has always had a sense of community. Spanglish Gringo what are the main street intersections by your home.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Jaime, I must politely but strongly disagree that there’s no housing crisis in Boyle Heights. Sky-high rents here are the main reason many are moving to the Inland Empire, that families that stay often double up in small apartments, and that others live in converted garages.
About the LAT, that’s ridiculous. I can see how the delivery guy may have been chased once but I seriously doubt it’s a chronic problem that justifies cancelling services. Years ago, when i was growing up at Wyvernwood Garden Apartments, Domino’s Pizza refused to deliver in the complex because it was too dangerous. But times have changed and I now take long walks care-free in the middle of the night here at Wyvernwood (where I still live). I also subscribe to LAT here and I get pizzas delivered without any problems anymore.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Are gang-bangers hanging out on the street at 6 in the morning? I don’t think so. Unless they are going to work.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I’m with Chuy about the housing crisis. It has hit Boyle Heights hard. We bought our house in 2000 for around $100K, now all the houses in our neighborhood are listing at $400K+. That’s ridiculous. It is still the ‘hood.
And the troubling part about it is, Boyle Heights has one of the highest - around 75% - non-occupant ownership rates, which means that residents aren’t able to buy. With all of the development that’s happening in downtown & spreading out, I fear for how the residents of Boyle Heights will get priced-out or pushed out to make way for new developments.
Though, maybe then the LAT would feel “more comfortable” delivering the paper…
February 4th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Well did the crisis start with the property values going up or with the property values going down? Im refering to the cost of properties going down. Spanglish gringo, you have now 300k in equity, is that a crisis for you? I would call it a crisis when you are loosing money not when you are gaining equity. “It is still the ‘hood’”- comments like these only serve the purpose for lowering property values. If you believe that it is still the hood do not blame LAT for agreeing with you. Do you want it to be the “hood” for ever?
VIVA BOYLE HEIGHTS- “The Eastside”
February 4th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
get over it… read the paper online!
February 4th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
The delivery person must go through more areas than just your immediate residence. This person felt his safety was threatened… if I were in their shoes, I would balance out the risk of harm vs. making low wage delivering newspapers. Who are you to question whether the person should stop delivering?
February 4th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I live in BH, and LAT delivers just fine. I live in the CLEAR target area of 90023. Great reduction of crime since 2003.
Chuy2003, that’s why you’re able to walk late at night and get your pizza delivered.