There's gangs problem in East LA, not worse as in South LA (It's known as former South Central LA). East LA is first old communities and pretty poverty issue, houses looks bad. It's not really about ghetto, gangs in East LA is just calm down and won't bother people. Pacoima, just old communities in east valley area, houses are ugly and small gangs problem, same as gangs in East LA. There's some nice area in Pacoima, it kinda odd because old and new houses are mixed and 80's/90's apartments is up right near to big dam. Pacoima has poverty issue but not high crime as in South LA.
Compton is pretty annoying that where crips and bloods are running and attack around turf, it's getting improve because there's alot of sheriff and Compton has only 4 murders in 5 month, down from 42 in 2005. That's surprised me.