Which part of West Covina is considering decent area? And 'Not so good' area? (Baldwin Park: low crime, houses)

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by BreaOC

Hate to break it to you but the world in its entirety was a better place, for the most part, in the 50's. Overcrowding, crime and cities becoming rundown are not exclusive to the Los Angeles area. Welcome to 2008

I agree with this. I am not old enough to have lived through the '50's, but I do know from my parents' stories, that West Covina was the hot ticket back then.

I was a bit harsh earlier, regarding my hometown, so I'm going to try to help the O.P. with some more info.

The nicest parts of West Covina (and wealthiest) are those in an area called South Hills. The high school by the same name is on the corner of Barranca and Cameron, near the golf course. Just west of this area, going south on Citrus is also a nice area. For more middle-of-the-road, but still decent areas, I'd look at homes east of Lark Ellen. As mentioned before, I really don't feel safe in the area near the mall--it's just one of those areas that seems to be in the newspaper a lot for various crimes. Also, some parts of West Covina fall within the Covina-Valley Unified School District, rather than West Covina District. If you're north of the 10 freeway, east of Vincent, it will be Covina schools. South of the 10 freeway will be West Covina schools. Both have decent reputations, although I am partial to Covina-Valley, having taught elementary in their schools for 17 years. The areas of West Covina that are far south (going south on Azusa to Amar) are kind of scary--lots of gang activity there through the years, and it's not getting better. I hope this has been helpful, and I apologize for blasting the area earlier. It's just very difficult to see what's happened in the last 25 years or so. It was a good place to grow up as a kid, but I would not want to raise my own children there now. Once we started seeing graffiti on my parents' tree out front, and my brother's car spray-painted while parked in their driveway, we knew things were headed downhill. If you're single and not worried about purchasing a house or putting kids in school, then it may not be that bad. As a mom and teacher in the area, I know there are better places for me and my children.

[CESpeed]

I did concede that I wasn't familiar with West Covina near the 60 fwy, which appears to be the area you are talking about. As for the mall, I still say you are WRONG. Apparently you are one of those if one-bad-thingh-happens-the-whole-area-is-tainted-forever people. I don't know whe nthis so-called shooting happened, but I do know I have NEVER even when I was at the mall at midnight seen anything to even remotely suggest that the area is unsafe. I've walked around by myself at night (female) and walked away unscathed one more than one occaision. The mall and the area near the 10 fwy is perfectly safe. And if you are that concerned, maybe this will help: the crime rate is so low, that when my bicycle was stolen they recovered it in under an hour. Yes, crime is very high in West Covina.

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

I did concede that I wasn't familiar with West Covina near the 60 fwy, which appears to be the area you are talking about. As for the mall, I still say you are WRONG. Apparently you are one of those if one-bad-thingh-happens-the-whole-area-is-tainted-forever people. I don't know whe nthis so-called shooting happened, but I do know I have NEVER even when I was at the mall at midnight seen anything to even remotely suggest that the area is unsafe. I've walked around by myself at night (female) and walked away unscathed one more than one occaision. The mall and the area near the 10 fwy is perfectly safe. And if you are that concerned, maybe this will help: the crime rate is so low, that when my bicycle was stolen they recovered it in under an hour. Yes, crime is very high in West Covina.

First of all, I am not trying to be right or wrong. But if it makes you feel better, I'll let you be RIGHT in capital letters.

Secondly, the mall shootings were just one example of why I don't feel safe there. I was referring to a snippet of a much larger picture regarding crime in the area. All one has to do is read the daily newspaper.

I, too, have walked the area alone many, many times in the last 25 years. Have I been raped, mugged, etc.? No, but there are enough freaks in the area to make a person feel unsafe. That is just my opinion. I've been here a long time, and continuously see the general area declining. If you've only been here 10 years or so, you can't begin to understand how different it is now. As I mentioned before, there are definitely worse places, but for me, I plan to move out of state.
Moderator cut: link to a competitors site removed

West Covina Crime News - Free Arrest Records in West Covina

West Covina, CA Crime Rate Statistics - CLRSearch.com (broken link)

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

West Covina is a victim, in large measure, of its geography. As a first-rung suburb, it came into being when LA expanded along the newly built freeways. Now, it's passed by both in far-away areas (Santa Clarita, Orange County) and the revitalization of closer-in areas (downtown, Hancock Park). It's a tweener zone (like Norwalk, as an example) that doesn't work well for most people.

[pattycake1]

Originally Posted by rebagirl

I guess you've never heard of the shootings that took place at the mall or opened your eyes to the gang-bangers that frequent the entire area. Maybe graffiti is a form of artwork to you if you've never noticed it. I've been here 42 years, and believe me, it ain't NOTHING like it used to be. There could be worse areas, yes, but West Covina is far from a nice area, in my opinion. It was the place to be back in the 50's when people actually respected each other and their properties.

Like I said I don't live in West Covina but visited the mall many times and it's relatively safe. I've never felt threatened or scared.
No, I don't think graffiti is a form of art and I do notice it. Thanks for pointing it out. Of course things are different now than in the 50's.

[amc760]

Sorry to mention it but,

Calif. woman slain while calling 911 - Yahoo! News (broken link)

As safe as it seems there, I guess bad stuff happens everywhere.

Sounds like an asian gang home invasion to me..

[ChatNoir]

I know exactly where this crime happened. It's a beautiful home located in the good area. It is also a large (gated and secure) mansion on a semi-major street. Although the street doesn't get heavy traffic, it is still a major street. Many people drive by this home and they don't necessarily have to live in the area.

Crime happens everywhere .

[rebagirl]

I used to pass this every day on my way to college. It's now about a mile from my current home. Like I said before...time for me to get out of California.

[the one]

yes please leave cali! if you cant tell the difference between rampant crime and an anomoly like this then we dont need your kind here. we dont know the full facts of this story. it could have been a domestic dispute. it could have been that she was targeted for her business, her money, for whatever. life insurance scheme? home invasion. who knows. but the facts here are that this region of the metro area is safe. the house was a nice house in a nice area. and this was a tragedy. thats what we know.
crime happens to all people. remeber when bill cosbys son got killed on the freeway? its random, its senesless and it can happen anywhere, how do you know the minute you leave cali you wont be a victim of some crime of opportunity. you dont. but in the meantime keep those paranoid thoughts of yours, but make sure to pack them with you when you leave CALI!!!!!!

[rebagirl]

Originally Posted by the one

yes please leave cali! if you cant tell the difference between rampant crime and an anomoly like this then we dont need your kind here. we dont know the full facts of this story. it could have been a domestic dispute. it could have been that she was targeted for her business, her money, for whatever. life insurance scheme? home invasion. who knows. but the facts here are that this region of the metro area is safe. the house was a nice house in a nice area. and this was a tragedy. thats what we know.
crime happens to all people. remeber when bill cosbys son got killed on the freeway? its random, its senesless and it can happen anywhere, how do you know the minute you leave cali you wont be a victim of some crime of opportunity. you dont. but in the meantime keep those paranoid thoughts of yours, but make sure to pack them with you when you leave CALI!!!!!!

Unbelievably rude!

This is what we know so far: 9-1-1 tapes of slain woman key to probe - SGVTribune.com

My reasons for leaving California have much more to do with being near family, getting away from smog, traffic, graffiti, overcrowded schools for my kids, and the fact that the area in which I live has been showing decline for several years.

I think we all know that crimes can happen any where. However, when one reads about them very close to home on a daily basis, it's obvious there are better places out there to raise a family. I've done plenty of research.

I will always love certain aspects of California. I've been here my entire life, and enjoyed a good upbringing, made lots of friends, taught in the schools for over 15 years, etc.

I'm just ready for a new adventure for me and my family...simple as that.