This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Building a Tent City to Take Back a Neighborhood
Listen
0:00
Listen
Residents of a crime-plagued neighborhood in Richmond, Calif., are trying to reclaim one of the city's toughest areas, the so-called "Iron Triangle."
They've pitched what amounts to a tent city, in hopes of discouraging drug dealers, gangs and thugs from doing business there. The tent city has had an impact, but even with so many people watching, some criminals refuse to leave.
Richmond has always been known as a tough working class town. But lately, it has been called the most dangerous city in California. The violence reached a peak last month, when a gunman interrupted a funeral and shot one of the pallbearers in the face.
That was the breaking point for Rev. Andre Shumake.
"You can not cure sickness until you acknowledge that you are sick," Shumake says. "And Richmond is a city sick with homicides."
In a parking lot in Richmond's Iron Triangle, Shumake and another minister opened a camp of a dozen tents, hoping to take back the neighborhood from those who have turned it into a killing zone.
With the support of Richmond and other Bay Area communities, the campers are taking a bite out of crime. There has been only one murder since the tent city went up.
Sponsored message
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
