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Taxpayer-funded ‘Meth Mansion’ under fire as crime concerns mount around homeless campus

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A Los Angeles County-funded homeless services campus dubbed a “Meth Mansion” by critics is facing mounting scrutiny after residents, business leaders and law enforcement officials raised alarms about violence, drug activity and public safety concerns surrounding the facility.

The Skid Row Care Campus, located at 442 S. Crocker Street in downtown Los Angeles, was approved by county officials as part of a broader effort to address homelessness in Skid Row. Public records reviewed by Fox News Digital show the site was established as a “Safe Services Space and Harm Reduction Health Hub” offering health care, short-term recovery beds, showers, laundry facilities, case management and harm-reduction resources.

County records show the facility is operated by Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, Social Model Recovery Systems and Wesley Health Centers. The campus costs approximately $26 million annually to operate, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

But recent reporting by FOX 11 Los Angeles documented what critics describe as a growing public safety crisis around the campus, including open-air drug use, overdoses and violent crime in the immediate vicinity.

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According to FOX 11, LAPD officers responded nearly 700 times to the 400 and 500 blocks of Crocker Street this year, averaging roughly six calls per day. The station also reported four homicides occurred on those two blocks during the first four months of 2026.

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Fox News Digital has requested records and comment from the LAPD regarding the reported crime figures.

LAPD Central Division Commanding Officer Capt. Kelli Muñiz told FOX 11 that the concentration of violence should concern city leaders regardless of the neighborhood.

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“Any time you have four homicides in the same area, everybody should be alarmed,” Muñiz said. “It shouldn’t matter the socioeconomic status of that community. We’re talking two small blocks. Four deaths in four months.”

FOX 11 also reported aerial and ground-level footage showing people openly using drugs near the facility, emergency responders treating overdose patients and suspected drug dealing in the surrounding area.

“People are overdosing, people are fighting, people have lit fires. It’s just mayhem, 24/7,” Estela Lopez, executive director of the Downtown Industrial District Business Improvement District, previously told FOX 11.

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Downtown Los Angeles resident David Fleming told FOX 11 that conditions surrounding the facility have become a daily quality-of-life and public safety concern.

“Open-air drug use, open-air drug dealing, animal abuse, public lewd sex acts — anything that you wouldn’t want to have in your own neighborhood occurs there on a daily basis,” Fleming said. “Don’t trust the county and the city when they say they want to put some services in your neighborhood and it won’t impact your neighborhood negatively.”

Lopez told Fox News Digital that while Skid Row has long struggled with crime and disorder, the conditions surrounding the care campus stand out even by neighborhood standards.

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“Imagine how much worse this place has to be that, in spite of it being a neighborhood of chaos and mayhem 24/7, this location has stood out for how much worse it has made that block,” Lopez said. “Imagine how bad this has to be to shine out in that context.”

Lopez argued that government officials have failed to hold the facility accountable despite the volume of police and emergency responses associated with the area.

“If this were a private business that was causing this kind of mayhem on the streets, the city would act under nuisance abatement,” Lopez said. “When you have generated nearly 700 calls for service in a short period from the police department, there are measures that the city can take.”

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“They’re saying, ‘Well, it’s a county facility.’ What does that mean?” Lopez continued. “Does that mean another government entity can come in and create mayhem, hundreds of police calls, dangerous situations and homicides, and that’s okay because it’s a county facility?”

Lopez also criticized what she described as a lack of accountability from county officials.

“I went to the county supervisor who advocated for this facility and funded it, and her staff has been completely stonewalling,” Lopez said. “This is the second facility. This is not the first.”

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According to Lopez, she raised concerns about another county-backed harm-reduction facility years ago and believes officials failed to address the issues before opening the larger Crocker Street campus.

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The controversy has reignited debate over harm-reduction policies, which seek to reduce the health consequences of drug use through services such as clean syringes, smoking supplies, overdose-reversal medication and connections to treatment and housing services.

Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, whose district includes the campus, defended the facility’s mission in a statement previously provided to FOX 11.

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“Everyone in Skid Row, residents, workers, business owners, service providers, and unhoused Angelenos, deserves to be safe and treated with dignity,” Jurado said. “The Skid Row Care Campus was created through extensive community input to provide essential services like showers, restrooms, laundry, health care, harm reduction, case management, and respite in a neighborhood that has been neglected for far too long.”

Jurado added that, “We cannot solve Skid Row by criminalizing poverty or pushing people from block to block.”

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged concerns surrounding the site but emphasized that the facility is operated by Los Angeles County.

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“This is a County-operated facility, and I am aware of and concerned about the problems associated with the campus,” Bass told Fox News Digital. “I am in discussions with the County about how to resolve these concerns.”

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The County of Los Angeles previously defended the facility in a statement provided to FOX 11.

“The County of Los Angeles is committed to safety and security at the Skid Row Care Campus and takes any concerns from businesses and neighbors seriously,” the county said. “We recently increased campus security and expanded outreach on nearby streets to connect individuals to housing and support. We also work closely with LAPD and LA City leaders on the site’s operations.”

Public records reviewed by Fox News Digital show county officials envisioned the campus as a key component of the county’s broader Skid Row Action Plan, which sought to expand healthcare, housing assistance and harm-reduction services in the neighborhood.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Los Angeles County officials, the LAPD, Jurado, and the facility’s operators for additional comment and records regarding campus operations, security measures and crime trends in the surrounding area.

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From reality TV to city hall? Trump-backed Spencer Pratt soars in LA mayor race as Californians vote

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Voters in California and Iowa head to polls Tuesday in primary races that could break longtime Republican losing streaks in key governor contests.
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Trump makes late-night endorsements in six states ahead of Tuesday primaries, including California

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President Trump has issued a series of endorsements ahead of Tuesday’s primary elections in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota, including in gubernatorial, congressional and Senate races.

Among the candidates Trump has thrown his support behind is U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, who is seeking to become his state’s next governor.

“As your next Governor, Randy will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Champion our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Empower Ethanol, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our incredible Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, Advance Election Integrity, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

In California—a state Trump and Republicans have routinely criticized over its majority Democratic leadership and are hoping to make gains in despite Democrats’ statewide dominance—Trump has endorsed Steve Hilton in the gubernatorial race. California uses a top-two primary system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot and the two highest vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party.

PRESIDENT TRUMP MAKES ENDORSEMENT IN CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE: ‘HE WILL BE A GREAT GOVERNOR’

“He is a truly fine man, one who has watched as this once great State has gone to Hell. Gavin Newscum and the Democrats have done an absolutely horrendous job,” Trump said of current Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent Trump critic.

“Crime is increasing, and Taxes are the highest of any State in the Country, maybe the World,” Trump added. “Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so! With our Administration, working alongside a Great Governor like Steve Hilton, California can be better than ever before.”

He also endorsed California GOP Assemblyman James Gallagher, who is running for Congress, as well as San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, who is also seeking a seat in the House.

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Others in California who received endorsements include Reps. Tom McClintock, Jay Obernolte, and Vince Fong, along with Kevin Lincoln, a former Stockton mayor who is running for a seat in the newly redrawn 13th Congressional District.

Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., also received a nod from Trump.

Other congressional endorsements included Reps. Tom Kean Jr., Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith, all of New Jersey, as well as Rep. Troy Downing, R-Mont. Trump also endorsed Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, in her U.S. Senate bid.

Trump also endorsed Aaron Flint, who is running to represent Montana; South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley; and Greg Cunningham, a former police officer from New Mexico.

Trump had previously endorsed Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D.

In May, Trump touted victories by several candidates he had backed in GOP primaries or runoff elections.

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Rick Adelman, architect of some of the NBA’s best offenses and Hall of Famer, dead at 79

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Rick Adelman, who ranks 10th in NBA history with 1,042 wins, died on Monday. He was 79.

The National Basketball Coaches Association announced his passing. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Adelman spent 23 seasons as an NBA head coach, leading the Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves. He compiled a 1,042-749 regular-season record and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

Before coaching, Adelman played seven seasons as an NBA point guard after being drafted by the San Diego Rockets in 1968.

After taking over the Trail Blazers during the 1988-89 season, Adelman led a Clyde Drexler-led roster to NBA Finals appearances in 1990 and 1992.

In 1998, Adelman became the head coach of the Sacramento Kings. The Kings reached the playoffs in all eight of his seasons in Sacramento and advanced to the Western Conference Finals in 2002.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement Monday honoring Adelman’s legacy.

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“Rick Adelman was one of the most respected and accomplished coaches in the history of the NBA,” Silver said.

“Following his NBA playing career, Rick turned to coaching where his leadership, innovation and genuine love for basketball left a lasting impression on generations of players and fellow coaches over his nearly 30-year run. He was a brilliant strategist and teacher of the game, and an even better person. I send my deepest condolences to Rick’s family and many friends throughout the league.”

Adelman is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Kay, their six children (including Nuggets coach David Adelman) and 12 grandchildren.

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