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Ennis Cosby didn't die in Compton. He was shot to death by the side of the road, on the off-ramp from the 410 North to Mulholland Drive -- at the top of the hill, within an easy walk of the exclusive University of Judaism. Mullholland Drive and its environs are about as far from "the 'hood" as it is possible to be in L.A. in terms of street crime -- lotsa of million-dollar-plus houses, swimming pools, and spectacular views.

I lived in Sherman Oaks for five years and never experienced any trouble (except for the earthquake). But there are plenty of places in L.A. that are just as dangerous as Compton. I'd guess that more people get robbed at Hollywood and Highland (i.e. in front of the Chinese Theater) every year than get robbed in most small towns over the same number of months. Tourists are easy to spot -- just look for pasty white corn-fed people wearing khaki shorts, Ohio State sweatshirts, and sandals (with socks) while gawking at the "sights" with their mouths hanging open, fat wallets and fanny packs bulging out on every side and $500 camcorders dangling loosely from their sweaty hands. If you are dressed or acting in a manner that makes you stick out like a flashing neon sign that blinks VICTIM, you are a target no matter what neighborhood you're in.

Therefore, the rule of thumb is to stay within your own ethnic enclave as much as possible and you'll be okay. For us -- non-Hispanic whites -- that meant Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Burbank in the Valley, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Fairfax, and Silverlake in the city, and Irvine and points south in O.C. North of us, Panorama City, Van Nuys and Reseda were OK by daylight, but at night there are drugs and gangsters everywhere, so that was a no-go area; ditto Hollywood, WeHo, Culver City, and points south.

It's a rough town. That stereotype California lifestyle from the movies only exists if you've got the bucks to escape to the hills, the palisades, or the periphery. If you're poor or middle-class, living with crime is just another fact of life in La-La Land.

I live in Texas now, by the way. Things may have gotten better (or worse) in L.A. since I last lived in California (1998). My impressions are drawn from the the Riot-Earthquake-OJ (1993-1998) period, so please take them for what they're worth

Ennis Cosby didn't die in Compton. He was shot to death by the side of the road, on the off-ramp from the 410 North to Mulholland Drive

I thought I remembered it was an upscale neighborhood of some kind. Thanks for the additional facts.

When you lived in Sherman Oaks, did you ever meet the Baker family, in particular, Tiffany Baker?

just look for pasty white corn-fed people wearing khaki shorts, Ohio State sweatshirts, and sandals (with socks) while gawking at the "sights" with their mouths hanging open, fat wallets and fanny packs bulging out on every side and $500 camcorders dangling loosely from their sweaty hands.

Glad to see some fellow Buckeyes (Ranked #1 in BCS, somehow) are out there enjoying themsevles...