L.A. Gang Tours…Not Your Average Bus Tour
I find this concept fascinating, L.A. Gang Tours expects to open to the public in January, giving tourists a look at the heart of the nation’s gang culture — the birthplace of many of the city’s gangs, including Crips and Bloods, Florencia 13 and 18th Street. For just $65 for an adult you can experience the real South Central L.A.
A bus tour of some of the hardest areas of the city, including decayed public housing, sites of deadly shootouts and streets ravaged by racial unrest. Sound intriguing? This sounds like the type of tour my sociology class would have loved. While it does sound a little controversial, scary, and like a heavy dose of reality, if it’s done right it can be a great thing for the area educating people on the underbelly of society.
Does it make you feel a little better that the proceeds go right back to the community? Profits will be put back into the community through jobs, tours in new areas and loans to inner-city entrepreneurs.
Visit the L.A. Gang Tour’s website for more information and to reserve your spot!
I’m curious to see how the launch of these tours turn out, what do you say? Will you sign up for a tour during your next trip to LA? Very tempting.
Tags: bus tours, Gang Tour, Los Angeles
December 16th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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December 16th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Ummm…hmmm. I work with people that are in gangs in a legal defense capacity. I haven’t dealt with the Bloods, but some other prominent gangs in Southern California. I think people see it on TV, Gangland, etc whatever, and maybe it seems accessible. I don’t know maybe because I have seen the chopped up bodies and deal with the families, it just seems grossly inappropriate.
On the other hand, I think jobs and exposure to what it’s really like in South Central or the slums of Orange County for that matter, could be good for some people. Just the idea of lets bus the white people in to the slums and see how the react, just doesn’t rub me the right way.
Maybe next they can take a tour through skid row.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
I just read what they included and it actually does go through Skid Row. It seems less dangerous than what I originally expected, but all very weird.
December 17th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Wow, this sounds like an amazing yet possibly dangerous experience.
Honestly though, I think it will probably be more of a let down than anything else.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:22 am
Hm, sounds interesting for sure. I do wonder how they’ll do and how big of a demand there will be for these tours. It’s nice that the money goes back into the community though.