LAPD Seeks to Clean Up Infamous Skid Row

Homeless citizens, right, sleep on the sidewalks in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, Oct. 14, 2005. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) (Damian Dovarganes - AP)

The issue reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Bratton and others signed off on a proposed agreement that would have allowed overnight sidewalk sleeping but prohibit it during the day and within 10 feet of a business or residential entrance at all times.

The City Council rejected the settlement last month, fearing it was too sweeping and would let the ACLU make similar arguments elsewhere in the city.

Police enforcing the no-sleeping ordinance say there are some 100 beds available in Skid Row on any given night, but addicts prefer to be close to suppliers.

While on dawn patrol of the neighborhood, Sgt. Tim Shaw handed out cards with shelter information to people lying on the sidewalks. Several said they had searched and failed to find space in shelters _ or weren't interested for reasons including limited space for belongings.

Counselors who help arrestees clean up and get in a shelter are permanently planted in the booking room. Shaw said a program diverting nonviolent arrestees into treatment for mental illness or addiction is a success, even though only about 14 of every 100 follow through.

"There are women and children there and people trying to straighten their life out," Shaw said. "You're creating a sense of civil obedience and a sense of a safer city."

Some remain skeptical, however, that Skid Row will truly change.

"The effort is really very good, we appreciate that," said Eugene Lorenzana, 59, a Skid Row seafood wholesaler who said he has seen business dwindle because restaurant owners didn't want to come to the neighborhood. "The mayor wants to promote downtown, like in New York, Central Park. But how can you have that with all this?"