A Los Angeles County-funded homeless services facility in downtown Los Angeles is facing growing criticism as residents, business leaders, and law enforcement officials point to escalating crime, drug activity, and public safety concerns in the area surrounding the site.
The Skid Row Care Campus, located on South Crocker Street in the heart of Los Angeles’ Skid Row district, was established as part of the county’s effort to address chronic homelessness through a combination of healthcare, recovery services, hygiene facilities, case management, and harm-reduction programs. County records indicate the campus operates at an annual cost of roughly $26 million and is managed through partnerships with several nonprofit healthcare and recovery organizations.
What was envisioned as a comprehensive support hub has increasingly become the focus of controversy.
Recent reporting from FOX 11 Los Angeles documented a surge in police activity around the facility. According to the station, LAPD officers responded nearly 700 times this year to the two blocks surrounding the campus, averaging approximately six calls for service each day. The same report noted that four homicides occurred within the immediate area during the first four months of 2026 alone.
Those statistics have alarmed local officials and community members alike.
LAPD Central Division Commanding Officer Capt. Kelli Muñiz told FOX 11 that the concentration of violent crime in such a small geographic area should concern policymakers regardless of the neighborhood involved.
“Any time you have four homicides in the same area, everybody should be alarmed,” Muñiz said. “It shouldn’t matter the socioeconomic status of that community. We’re talking two small blocks. Four deaths in four months.”
Footage aired by FOX 11 showed emergency personnel responding to overdoses, individuals openly using drugs near the campus, and suspected drug transactions occurring in the surrounding area. Critics argue that conditions around the facility have deteriorated to the point where even longtime Skid Row observers view the location as unusually problematic.
Estela Lopez, executive director of the Downtown Industrial District Business Improvement District, has emerged as one of the most outspoken critics. While acknowledging that Skid Row has long struggled with crime, addiction, and homelessness, Lopez argues that the area surrounding the care campus has become a distinct hotspot.
“Imagine how much worse this place has to be that, in spite of it being a neighborhood of chaos and mayhem 24/7, this location has stood out for how much worse it has made that block,” Lopez said.
Residents have voiced similar concerns. Downtown resident David Fleming described a range of ongoing quality-of-life issues, including open drug use, drug dealing, public disturbances, and other criminal activity that he says occurs daily near the facility.
Critics have also questioned why county officials have not faced greater accountability given the volume of police responses associated with the site. Lopez argued that if a private business generated comparable levels of public disorder, city officials would likely pursue nuisance-abatement actions or other enforcement measures.
The controversy has reignited a broader debate over harm-reduction policies, which aim to reduce the health risks associated with drug use by providing services such as clean syringes, overdose-reversal medications, healthcare access, and pathways into treatment programs. Supporters argue these approaches save lives and create opportunities for long-term recovery. Opponents contend that such programs can attract or concentrate drug activity if not paired with effective enforcement and accountability measures.
Local elected officials remain divided on the issue. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado defended the campus, describing it as an important resource providing showers, healthcare, restrooms, laundry services, and case management in a neighborhood that has historically lacked sufficient investment.
“We cannot solve Skid Row by criminalizing poverty or pushing people from block to block,” Jurado said.
Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged concerns surrounding the site while noting that the facility is operated by Los Angeles County rather than the city. Bass said she is discussing potential solutions with county officials.
County leaders have likewise defended the project, stating that safety remains a priority. Officials say security has recently been increased and outreach efforts expanded in an attempt to address conditions on nearby streets. The county also noted that it continues to coordinate with LAPD and city leaders regarding campus operations.
