Social Control

We witnessed little police presence during our tour of Highland Park. Most of us witnessed only one or two LAPD or Sheriff Department officers patrolling the area during the entire two days there. This seemed odd considering we heard that the crime rate in Highland Park was above average. The Fire Department had a more prominent presence in Highland Park, however, so this may serve as a form of social control.

Eagle Rock had a neighborhood watch force made up of devoted community members, but we did not learn of an equivalent group in Highland Park. City Hall is located in the Eagle Rock area, but includes Highland Park in its jurisdiction. Additionally, it seemed that the types of fences surrounding private residences and apartment complexes varied depending on the neighborhoods we walked through. Although some houses in the Eagle Rock area had fences, they were generally short in height, were picket-fences, or included pleasing decorations. In contrast, in some more densely populated (as noted by the presence of mostly large apartment complexes) and poorer areas of Highland Park, the fences were notably taller, thicker, and less inviting. Most homes had bars on their windows and doors, and on one occasion, we witnessed a vicious guard dog barking atop the roof of a house.



To an extent, it seems that gangs may act as a form of social control, as gang activity influences how residents feel and act in their neighborhoods. Gang-related graffiti was evident in some parts of Highland Park, and most notably on and around the bridge located behind Loreto St. Elementary School, near the intersection of Cypress Ave. and Arroyo Seco Ave. This bridge connects Highland Park to Cypress. While riding the Highland Park DASH, we were told by one resident that this bridge is known by many as a center of gang activity and crime. This was attributed to insufficient patrolling in this part of the neighborhood.