Home / Crime and Justice / Skid Row Campus: "Meth Mansion" Fuels Public Safety Crisis
Skid Row Campus: "Meth Mansion" Fuels Public Safety Crisis
2 Jun
Summary
- Nearly 700 police calls logged at Skid Row campus's two blocks.
- Four homicides occurred on blocks near the campus in early 2026.
- Critics label the county-funded facility a "Meth Mansion" due to safety concerns.
The Skid Row Care Campus in downtown Los Angeles is facing severe criticism regarding public safety concerns, with critics labeling it a "Meth Mansion." Between January and late May 2026, the Los Angeles Police Department reportedly responded to nearly 700 calls for service in the two blocks surrounding the facility. This intense activity has coincided with significant safety issues, including open-air drug use and violence.
Compounding these concerns, four homicides occurred on the two blocks adjacent to the campus during the first four months of 2026. Law enforcement officials expressed alarm at the concentration of violence in such a small area. Residents and business leaders report pervasive issues like open-air drug use, overdoses, and crime, describing the area as "mayhem, 24/7."
Despite its mission to provide harm reduction and recovery services, the campus's operational costs are approximately $26 million annually. County officials acknowledge the concerns and are reportedly in discussions with the city to find resolutions, while some local officials defend the facility's need for essential services in a neglected neighborhood.
