. >> reporter: vietnam vet freddy wright says he was 45 victims of street robbery last year in this singleck between mission and valencia. >> i wasn't surprised that it happened. i really wasn't. >> reporter: you had to be scared for your safety. >> i was scared, i sure was, i was scared. >> reporter: aggravated assault, rape and murder accounted for 155 violent crimes in this area. it has for some on guard. >> reporter: you worry about your fifth grader walking through here every day? >> of course, of course. so his dad and me are just making sure that he's picked up and just not spending extra time here. >> reporter: we were there when police stopped and searched the car of a man on felony probation for drugs. >> we keep at it. it's a struggle. >> reporter: lieutenant jim balane worked this beat for 30 years. he says drugs fuel the crowd here, and under cover cops patrol the area. >> we need the support of the community. people, the merchants, other people, the law-abiding folks step up, be able to come guard and say, that's the guy who's selling dope -- come forward and say, that's the