South Central has long had a reputation for violence. It was the scene of the '92 L.A. riots and is known for producing the Bloods, Crips, and other notorious gangs. Although its reputation has preceded itself over the past couple decades, it's no longer quite as dangerous or violent as some might suggest — though it's still not really a destination for the average tourist. While muggings still occur, most happen at night on smaller streets. Stay in groups of at least three if you must be on foot.
If you must drive through South Central for example, because the Harbor or Century Freeways are jammed, try to do it only during daylight hours, with the assistance of a GPS navigation system or a passenger armed with a good map, carry a fully-charged cell phone, and stay on major arterial streets.
