Why Doesn't L.A. Have a Little Italy? (Los Angeles, Alhambra: condo, assessor)

[abrown17]

James T, your racism is disturbing.

Originally Posted by James T

And as I recall, Italian neighborhoods, like Polish and Irish neighborhoods in the U.S, have very low levels of crime, unlike many others I can think of.

Hello, Italian Mafia?

[LASam]

I've heard some references to San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood as being the aspiring "Little Italy" of LA. There definately is plenty of Italian restaurants there...

Who needs a Little Italy when you have C&O Trattoria anyways???

[James T]

Originally Posted by abrown17

Hello, Italian Mafia?

If you seriously believe that the "Italian Mafia" is or was so prevalent that it made Italian neighborhoods dangerous, you're quite wrong. In fact, the crime rates are no different than in Irish, Polish, or German neighborhoods. I mean, honestly, when was the last time somebody said, "This must be an Italian neighborhood -- look at all the graffitti and barred windows."

[James T]

Originally Posted by LASam

I've heard some references to San Vicente Blvd in Brentwood as being the aspiring "Little Italy" of LA. There definately is plenty of Italian restaurants there...

Who needs a Little Italy when you have C&O Trattoria anyways???

I hate San Vicente Blvd. It's full of North Brentwood snobs and gated property elitists.

[abstrak_tokatl]

Originally Posted by James T

If you seriously believe that the "Italian Mafia" is or was so prevalent that it made Italian neighborhoods dangerous, you're quite wrong. In fact, the crime rates are no different than in Irish, Polish, or German neighborhoods. I mean, honestly, when was the last time somebody said, "This must be an Italian neighborhood -- look at all the graffitti and barred windows."

not to knock a hole in this statement, but are you saying that just because the irish, polish and germans where thugs that there was no italian mafia? (not saying either way, just dissing your comment)

[James T]

Originally Posted by abstrak_tokatl

not to knock a hole in this statement, but are you saying that just because the irish, polish and germans where thugs that there was no italian mafia? (not saying either way, just dissing your comment)

No, that is not what I stated. I stated that Italian neighborhoods on average are as safe as Irish, Polish, or German neighborhoods.

[abstrak_tokatl]

Ah, my misunderstanding then.

But i still don't think that there should be a "lil italy." Atleast not in downtown or the surrounding areas.

[James T]

What about Koreatown, Chinatown, or Little India?

[abstrak_tokatl]

those areas are unique. the contributed to the building of the city way back in the day. They were able to maintain their unique cultures. It wasn't some arbitrary decision that "we" wanted a chinatown or korea town. They came out from the actual history of the city. And that's the difference.

You can by all means create a little itally with restaurants and etc.... but it wouldn't mean anything historically. It would just be another planet hollywood.

That's why we don't have a lil italy. The city was built on koreans, chineese, japaneese, mexicans, jews, russians and others that i can't remember just now. But i'm sorry to say, not italians. That's why there isn't a lil itally. The names of the areas are given as a tribute to the history of the city of los angeles.

at least that's my understanding.

[abstrak_tokatl]

that being said... and I'm not being racist as someone flagged me for. i actually want to know.

what have Italians contributed specifically to Los Angeles?