Most of the valley was white middle class in the 80s. The population was about 3.5 million. The crime rate was low. It was a pretty good place to live. Today it's morphed to a considerable hispanic populace. One can only surmise if they are legal or not. The crime rate is high. The signage often in Spanish.
I made the mistake of visiting a well known name brand store on Van Nuys Boulevard at Roscoe about eighteen months ago. It was about 6:00 p.m. Inside the signs were all in large letters, Spanish. Under that there was a small print English translation. It was a culture shock to be sure.
Van Nuys boulevard looks like a foreign country these days. A lot of the businesses have gone down hill.
I was warned later on not to go to that area after dark. It seems there's a very large gang presence and you're sticking your neck on the line if you do.
This is what the supporters of open borders on this forum are supporting for your area in the near future.
Oh excuse me, nobody here wants open borders. Just don't suggest a way to close them. "Those are all problematic."
http://dailynews.com/homicides
Here is an interactive map of the homocides. Doesnt include yesterday's.