Safe to go to Compton? (Los Angeles, East Los Angeles: apartments, work, home)

[Astaire]

I have to take my behind-the-wheel driving test soon and the only available appointment that works for me is at 8:00AM at the DMV in Compton tomorrow. Everything in my area is booked up for a few weeks and it's important that I get my license as soon as possible. It would just be me and my mom going and I'm not sure we should take the chance. Is it a bad idea to go?

[streetscenes]

Compton at 8am on a Friday should be no problem. I have to go look a property all over south LA including Compton and as long as I'm out before noon during the week I don't worry about it. Bad guys are in bed and most of the kids are in school.

[calipoppy]

Originally Posted by Astaire

I have to take my behind-the-wheel driving test soon and the only available appointment that works for me is at 8:00AM at the DMV in Compton tomorrow. Everything in my area is booked up for a few weeks and it's important that I get my license as soon as possible. It would just be me and my mom going and I'm not sure we should take the chance. Is it a bad idea to go?

Yep...its a terrible idea. Why not just wait until an appointment clears up at the West LA DMV office? Or would you rather make the 6 o clock news.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by calipoppy

Yep...its a terrible idea. Why not just wait until an appointment clears up at the West LA DMV office? Or would you rather make the 6 o clock news.

please, stop being an hysteric! people go to compton to conduct business every day, and make it back home just fine.

OP: it's only a terrible idea if you're going to be so freaked out by people on their way to work and school that you fail to yield and fail your test!

[bananaguyc]

It's not the 90's anymore. The days of being at high risk for getting caught in random gunfire due to raging, intense gang wars are past.

[TXCowboy010]

I have a question - if you had to vote for the ONE worst and most dangerous neighborhood in the LA area what would it be?

Edit: And I don't mean just run down or industrial I mean a true danger to your personal safety.

[cottonwood2420]

Originally Posted by Astaire

I have to take my behind-the-wheel driving test soon and the only available appointment that works for me is at 8:00AM at the DMV in Compton tomorrow. Everything in my area is booked up for a few weeks and it's important that I get my license as soon as possible. It would just be me and my mom going and I'm not sure we should take the chance. Is it a bad idea to go?

It should be alright since you are going in the morning. You should still try to be careful.

Originally Posted by TXCowboy010

I have a question - if you had to vote for the ONE worst and most dangerous neighborhood in the LA area what would it be?

Edit: And I don't mean just run down or industrial I mean a true danger to your personal safety.

The area around MacArthur Park in Westlake, East Los Angeles and Pacoima in the Valley are all pretty rough. Pacoima has seen a large decrease in crime since Chief Bratton took over in 2001.

[the one]

pacoima is as bad as it gets right now!!!

but the CPT DMV should be fine. no worries.

[matt345]

Originally Posted by TXCowboy010

I have a question - if you had to vote for the ONE worst and most dangerous neighborhood in the LA area what would it be?

Edit: And I don't mean just run down or industrial I mean a true danger to your personal safety.

I'm not an expert on South LA neighborhoods (and I don't really want to be), but I was riding the Blue Line the other day and the area just north of Compton seemed extremely rough, impoverished, and just bleak. It literally hurt my eyes looking at the vastness of all the dilapidated bungalows and apartments stretching as far as the eye can see. Is that Watts? It made the area around the Compton blue line station look like a middle class suburb! Of course this was only one view from the train, but still. Truly third world down there.

[katenik]

Originally Posted by matt345

I'm not an expert on South LA neighborhoods (and I don't really want to be), but I was riding the Blue Line the other day and the area just north of Compton seemed extremely rough, impoverished, and just bleak. It literally hurt my eyes looking at the vastness of all the dilapidated bungalows and apartments stretching as far as the eye can see. Is that Watts? It made the area around the Compton blue line station look like a middle class suburb! Of course this was only one view from the train, but still. Truly third world down there.

if i'm not mistaken about that route, you were probably looking at the imperial courts (or gardens-- i can't remember) projects just opposite the imperial hwy. station in willowbrook. yes, that area is quite bleak, and equally dangerous. many years ago, someone i know who drove a nice german sedan was stopped at a red light in front of those projects when two young thugs smashed her windshield and passenger window, and snatched her purse and jewelry. this is the reason i usually keep my purse on the floor behind me, instead of on the seat beside me when i'm driving.

you were observant to make the contrast between willowbrook and compton. from a purely aesthetic perspective, compton looks much bettter than a lot of south LA communities with a similar reputation.