The Skid Row Care Campus, a taxpayer-funded homeless services facility at 442 S. Crocker Street in downtown Los Angeles, has experienced mounting crime and drug problems since it opened in August 2025 [1, 2]. The campus provides showers, laundry, medical care, case management, and harm reduction services including clean syringes and safe use supplies. It costs about $26 million annually and is operated by Homeless Health Care Los Angeles alongside Social Model Recovery Systems and Wesley Health Centers [1, 2].
Since January 1, 2026, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has responded to approximately 693 calls in the 400 to 500 blocks of Crocker Street near the campus, averaging nearly six calls a day [1, 2]. During the first four months of 2026, four homicides occurred in the two blocks around the campus—up from zero in 2024 and one in 2025 during the same period [1, 2]. LAPD's Central Division reports a 25% increase in violent crime and serious injury incidents in the area, highly concentrated around the campus [1].
Local officials and community members describe frequent open drug use, overdoses, violent fights, and public safety issues near the site. Estela Lopez, Executive Director of the Downtown Industrial Business Improvement District, said, “The whole place is like an out-of-control meth mansion, with nearly daily overdoses, fights, and arson. It's 24 hours of chaos” [1]. Resident David Fleming added, “Open drug use, drug dealing, animal abuse and explicit sexual behavior happen almost daily. Anything you don't want in your community is playing out there every day” [1].
LAPD Central Division Commanding Officer Capt. Kelli Muñiz said, “Any time you have four homicides in the same area, everybody should be alarmed. It shouldn't matter the socioeconomic status of that community. We're talking two small blocks. Four deaths in four months” [2]. The campus has been called a 'meth mansion' and a crime hotspot due to regular open-air drug use near its entrance [1, 2].
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged awareness of the problems at the campus and said, “I’m aware of the issues at the campus and am discussing solutions with the county, but the facility is operated by the county” [1]. The county has increased security and outreach efforts at the campus and is working with police to maintain safety around the area [1]. County planning documents described the site as an “un-policed” harm reduction space and considered establishing a safe consumption site, which remains illegal in California [1].
The Skid Row Care Campus opened in August 2025, expanding operations of Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, a group previously criticized for security issues at another harm reduction center [1]. The violence and safety concerns near the campus remain a challenge for authorities.
Officials continue efforts to address the crime and drug issues amid ongoing community concern and law enforcement activity around the campus [1, 2].
