People who have never been to L.A. really have no idea how insanely huge it is. Driving to my apartment from the start of city (before you even get to L.A. county) and having the city just keep going and going and going for two hours and not because of traffic jams is something you have to experience to truly understand.
Homeless: serious problem, been a problem. Heartless evil the way they're treated now.
Water supply: serious problem, been a problem. Los Angeles is the highest consumer of electricity in California, mainly because the energy is spent on treating and transporting water. Highly inefficient.
Air pollution: serious problem, been a problem. Closely tied to...
Traffic congestion: serious problem, been a problem.
There has been major improvement in drug deaths. Actually quite good numbers there.
Okay, but your characterization as L.A. being full of panhandlers because of a photo of a bunch of people panhandling in a tourist area was not exactly an honest view of the city.
I thought the photo was impactful, with the stars. It's similar to a photo that first got me looking at LA and some of it's problems.
I know it's a big city. But the leadership seems so inept.