A New Look at Skid Row Care Campus

The Skid Row Care Campus, located on Crocker Street in downtown Los Angeles, was built with county money to help people who are homeless. It offers showers, laundry, short‑term beds and health services aimed at reducing drug harm. County documents say the site costs about $26 million each year and is run by several health groups. Despite its good intentions, the campus has become a flashpoint for violence and drug use. Police reports show almost 700 calls to the area in one year, an average of six per day. Four people were killed on those two blocks within the first four months of 2026, a figure that has alarmed city officials.Residents and business owners say the neighborhood feels unsafe. They describe open‑air drug use, fights, fires and even animal cruelty happening daily around the campus. Some argue that the county should take action like it would for a private business causing nuisance. The city’s mayor and a councilmember have acknowledged the concerns but point out that the campus is county‑run. They stress that the goal is to give people dignity and services, not to criminalize poverty. The debate highlights a larger conflict over how best to handle homelessness and drug addiction. Some see harm‑reduction centers as a solution, while others worry that they can create new problems if not carefully managed. The county claims it has increased security and outreach, but community pressure remains high.