Los Angeles: An Outsider’s Perspective
After traveling for nearly 12 hours by dirt bike across the Namibian desert, losing contact with our gear truck, running out of fuel and building a fire on the side of the highway to stay warm, our team finally got recovered and made it to safety. Mike O’Dowd, former Navy Seal and founder of Defense Strategies Group, invited me to come to Namibia with him on this adventure to train a group of motorcycle riders, looking to be expedition leaders for their club. Mike told me the trip was going to be challenging, and that first day did not disappoint that expectation. Nonetheless, I was grateful to finally be at the lodge. I walked up to the bar at the restaurant to order a drink and the woman behind the counter asks me, “where are you from?”
“Los Angeles,” I replied.
Her eyes widened with a look of concern. “Oh wow, I would never want to go there. It’s way too dangerous!”
Her response surprised me. Here I am, thinking the United States is the greatest country in the world and anyone from Africa would do anything for the opportunity to come to America. Yet, she says, she’d never want to go to Los Angeles because it’s too dangerous? I thought it was so interesting to hear her say this, when the average American would probably say the same thing about visiting her country. At the same time, the average American most likely can’t even point where Namibia is on the map. Nevertheless, the common American outsider’s perspective is that Africa is extremely dangerous. Although I would agree that there are many areas throughout Africa that are, Namibia is low risk in comparison to many of the other countries on the continent. Yet, this woman’s perception about Los Angeles isn’t that off when compared to how many other Americans view LA and California in general.
Los Angeles, often depicted as the glamorous epicenter of the entertainment industry, is also a city grappling with complex issues of crime, homelessness, and civil unrest. The city of Los Angeles and the State of California are constantly portrayed in a negative way in the media. There are numerous videos circulating on social media showing mobs of people stealing from retail stores, people breaking into cars, and robbing people in broad daylight. There is a saying, “perception is reality.” So is the perception of Los Angeles on social media actually the reality of what it’s actually like? According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, California is among the top 10 States with the highest violent crime and property crime rates, with Los Angeles ranking among the top cities for violent crimes in the United States. In 2023, the city reported 1,009 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average significantly.
Despite the Los Angeles Times bragging about a 3% drop in violent crime in 2023, compared to the year prior and a 17% decrease in homicides, Los Angeles is now seeing another increase in violent crime and robberies. During a Board of Police Commissioners meeting in March, Interim Los Angeles Police Chief, Dominic Choi reported a significant rise in homicides, stating that there is an increase of over 28%. In addition, property crimes are trending upward. Last year, the city of Los Angeles saw a 3.5% increase compared to the year prior, and a 2% increase in thefts of motor vehicles. Moreover, the number of hit-and-run crashes that resulted in fatalities increased by 23%, D.U.I crashes resulting in death increased by 32% and pedestrian deaths caused by vehicle collisions increased by 13%. Furthermore, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reports a nearly 10% rise in homelessness, with an estimated 75,518 people living on the streets. This data collectively shows that living in Los Angeles is statistically more dangerous than 93% of U.S. cities.
Despite these challenges, Los Angeles does offer numerous neighborhoods and districts that prioritize safety and community well-being. Areas such as Westwood, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades boast lower crime rates and are characterized by affluent residential enclaves and vibrant cultural scenes. However, with this election season starting to pick up and the increase in pro-Palestine demonstrations throughout the city, areas that were once considered relatively safe are becoming the next target. What makes matters worse, is I hear from many of my fellow California residents that they’re not confident with our law enforcement’s ability to handle the constant uptick in crime, and they’ve lost faith in our political leaders to do anything constructive about it. So, besides fleeing to other States, which we’ve seen many California residents do in the past four years, what are some things you can do to stay safe?
Here are my 3 recommendations:
Stay Informed: Stay abreast of local news and developments to understand any emerging safety concerns or advisories in specific areas. I recommend downloading the apps: Citizen and NewsBreak on your phone. Both apps provide local safety alerts and the ability to broadcast live video feeds of incidents happening near you. Likewise, take advantage of safety resources provided by local law enforcement agencies, such as crime prevention tips and community outreach programs.
Maintain Situational Awareness: Keep your eyes off your phone and be observant to the world around you. Criminals are looking for an easy target that can be caught off guard. Be especially vigilant in neighborhoods known for high crime rates or homelessness and avoid walking alone at night.
Seek Professional Help: Be proactive and not reactive, by getting training and/or the security help you need. Defense Strategies Group offers a wide range of public and private courses to help you become more effective in being able to defend yourself and your loved ones against hostile threats. Likewise, we offer threat vulnerability assessments and executive protection that align with your safety priorities. Reach out to me at Benjie@defensestrategies.us to learn more about how we can serve you.
I hope one day that woman I met in Namibia can come and enjoy the amazing things I love about Los Angeles. It truly is a remarkable city, despite its multifaceted challenges. However, her perception, along with many others around the U.S. and the world, will remain the same, if crime, homelessness, and civil unrest continue to increase. However, by staying informed, maintaining situational awareness, and seeking professional help, as needed, individuals can enhance their personal safety while in Los Angeles.
Benjie Manibog
DSG cadre and Retired Marine Raider
