Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

South Los Angeles Park Observation Research, Valeria N. Delgado, Melissa R. Ramos

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The health impact of elevated gang activity on the residents of South Los Angeles has been a pressing concern with limited research. Thus, this study aimed to understand the potential health repercussions within this context, specifically by examining how different patrolling systems influence community members' physical activity in public parks. To increase security, the city of Los Angeles implemented police patrol programs in multiple high-risk parks. Concurrently, the Advocates for Urban Peace & Unity (APUU), a local community organization, introduced a novel approach of community-led park patrolling. Essentially, respected community members volunteer to patrol and maintain safety and order in …