by S.M. Wagenaar
Los Angeles and San Francisco, two cities I once called home, are in crisis. The vibrant energy and unique spirit that once defined them – it’s now only a shadow of a whisper.
Homelessness, drug addiction, high rents, and soaring crime rates are not just problems; they’re defining features of these once-great cities. Forget the postcard images and tourist brochures; the reality is far harsher.
Los Angeles, once a symbol of opportunity and glamor, is now struggling with a level of lawlessness and despair that’s hard to comprehend unless you’ve seen it firsthand. Homelessness has taken over public spaces, open drug use is rampant, and the streets are often unsafe, even in broad daylight.
I remember a time when Downtown LA was a vibrant hub, filled with shoppers and tourists. Now, it’s not uncommon to see people openly shooting up drugs or struggling with mental health crises just steps away from restaurants, hi-rises, and shops. The sidewalks are often impassable, littered with tents and discarded belongings. The smell of urine and feces hangs heavy in the air, and the constant fear of encountering someone in a state of psychosis or aggression creates an atmosphere of tension and unease.