Origin of ‘The Jungle’

Re “From B’wood to the ‘hood,’ ” Current, Feb. 19

I’m glad that Ryan J. Smith is enjoying the amenities of the Crenshaw area, but I would like to clear up one misconception. The nickname “The Jungle” was associated with the many apartments nestled at the foot of Baldwin Hills in the late ‘50s -- not because there were gangs there (it was populated mostly with middle-age to elderly whites whose only knowledge of gangs came from the “Our Gang” movies) but because of the lush tropical vegetation that was densely planted in the area.

MARY ANN SCOTT

Los Angeles