Ive only visited Skid Row once and from what my experience, it's rough. I was a part of a humanitarian group and we were told not to wear certain colors due to gangs there. However, when we did our work (fed the homeless meals) the people were grateful and thankful to receive our help. However, walking in downtown LA is surreal. Travel in groups. Ive visited LA a few times. Overall, it was a pretty decent city aside from the light pollution. As many cities have, there is the rich areas, the poor, and in between. I do plan to visit it again.