Recent Streetsblog LA posts about South LA

In an effort to show how transportation, open space, planning and other issues impact the health and character of a community, Streetsblog and The California Endowment teamed to bring Streetsblog’s coverage to a hyper-local level in Boyle Heights and South Los Angeles. Sahra Sulaiman is the Communities Editor for Streetsblog Los Angeles and is leading our coverage efforts in these communities. This page serves as a place to read Sahra’s and all of Streetsblog’s coverage of issues in South L.A. Contact Sahra at sahra[at]streetsblog.org or on twitter: @sahrasulaiman.

Clean-up Effort of a “Beauty Spot” Unearths a Strange History in Watts

By Sahra Sulaiman | Jan 28, 2013 | 1 Comment

When is a public park not open to the public? Or even a park? Apparently, when it is owned by the Department of Water and Power (LADWP). This little plot of land on the corner of 96th and Central Ave. in Watts was one of the many vacant lots that Ted Watkins helped turned into […]

TONIGHT: the Crenshaw Line, Fracking, and Bike Ambassador Meetings! And Much, Much More

By Sahra Sulaiman | Jan 24, 2013 | No Comments

TONIGHT! The Crenshaw Line, Neighborhood Bike Ambassadors, and Fracking — way too much fun for one person to handle! Interested in seeing bike lanes come to your favorite street? Want to help educate the community about why they should ride and how to ride safely? Would you like to connect with other people in the […]

Black Kids on Bikes Spread the Gospel of the Bike at the King Day Parade

By Sahra Sulaiman | Jan 22, 2013 | 6 Comments

As everybody gathered in the middle of Crenshaw Blvd. for a group photo at the end of the King Day parade, an African-American freelance photojournalist came out to where I was positioned with my camera. “They’re the Black Kids on Bikes,” I said, gesturing toward the group. He gave me a funny look. “No, it’s […]

MLK Weekend Offers Much Ado About Awesome Things to Do

By Sahra Sulaiman | Jan 18, 2013 | 1 Comment

There is much going on this weekend in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., so do yourself a favor and get yourself to South L.A. at some point. Tonight, Mercado la Paloma hosts an art opening from 7 – 9 p.m. as part of their larger Cultural Continuum series. The Common Ground II Art Exhibition, […]

Villaraigosa Offers Tough Stance on Gun Violence, but South L.A. Youth Say the Problem is Deeper than Guns

By Sahra Sulaiman | Jan 18, 2013 | 3 Comments

The first time he shot somebody, he says, another gang member helped him hold his hand steady as he aimed the gun out the window of the car they were sitting in. He hadn’t wanted to do it — he didn’t even know the kid he thinks he hit in the back and the head, […]

New security gates appeared along Exposition Blvd. recently as part of USC's effort to make its campus more secure for students. (photo courtesy of Jonathan Weiss)

How Far is Too Far?: Fortress USC and the Struggle to Keep Students Safe

By Sahra Sulaiman | Jan 15, 2013 | 93 Comments

WHEN I BEGAN MY GRAD PROGRAM at USC in 2001, I lived north of campus a few blocks on Hoover Street. As my daylight hours were generally occupied with classes and teaching responsibilities, I tended to get my long-distance runs in well after dark. Instead of being able to clear my head as I did […]

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