LAPD Ride Along in San Pedro and the South Bay

Focused on local homeless crisis during LAPD ride along in San Pedro and the South Bay with Los Angeles Police Officer Humberto Pitones and Sgt Juan Terrazas.

They shared the difficult challenge in being called upon to enforce the law while at the same time treating the unhoused with compassion.

They shared their frustration that there are not enough mental health workers and facilities to deal with all the unhoused who need help.

They shared their frustration that they would clean up a homeless encampment, only to see them set up somewhere else the next day.

They shared their frustration that too many of the unhoused would be offered housing, only to refuse because they don't want to have to comply with all the rules of the housing facility.

They say that gang violence is down, but the overall quality of life in the community is in the dumps.

They are afraid that we are all going to let this go on so long that people are starting to just accept it.

I just spent two hours with these LAPD officers, but I have a renewed appreciation for their tough jobs.