Doug Smith

Senior Writer

Senior writer Doug Smith scouts Los Angeles for the ragged edges where public policy meets real people, combining data analysis and gumshoe reporting to tell L.A. stories through his 50 years of experience covering the city. As past database editor from 2004 through 2015, he hunted down and analyzed data for news and investigative projects. Besides “Grading the Teachers,” he contributed to investigations of construction abuse in the community college system and the rising toll of prescription drug overdoses. Smith has been at The Times since 1970, covering local and state government, criminal justice, politics and education. He was the lead writer for Times’ coverage of the infamous North Hollywood shootout, winner of a 1997 Pulitzer Prize. Between 2005 and 2008, Smith made five trips to Iraq on loan to our foreign desk.

Latest From This Author

California
Continúan los robos por multitudes en tiendas de lujo de Los Ángeles
Mientras continúa la racha de robos llevados a cabo por multitudes en Los Ángeles, la policía de L.A. investiga dos nuevos incidentes
Housing & Homelessness
The toll of one man’s mental illness: 17 criminal cases, six competency hearings, one failed conservatorship
If anyone should have been able to escape homelessness, it’s John Maurer, whose siblings are prominent in L.A.'s homelessness and mental health systems.
California
Police, retailers struggle to respond to smash-and-grab ‘flash mob’ robberies
As smash-and-grab ‘flash mob’ robberies continue, police and retailers try to fight back.
California
Flash mob smash-and-grabs continue at high-end stores in Los Angeles
As a rash of flash mob thefts continued in Los Angeles, the LAPD was investigating two new incidents
California
Thanksgiving brings strong winds, power shut-offs and fire danger
As of Thursday morning, power was shut off to about 60,000 Edison customers amid high winds and fire danger warnings.
California
He’s no Dr. Drew, but Andy Bales could shake up L.A.’s homeless advocacy establishment
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said she welcomes the “contrary” viewpoint Bales brings, despite not agreeing with all of his views.
Housing & Homelessness
L.A. just changed its entire approach to homelessness. Does it place politics above need?
Los Angeles has undertaken a major shift in its approach to homelessness, one that puts a priority on clearing unsightly street encampments.
Housing & Homelessness
Ridley-Thomas was at the center of L.A.’s fight against homelessness. What happens now?
Among those who are dedicated to alleviating homelessness in Los Angeles, the news of the indictment of City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas brought only sadness and dismay.
California
A fraud conviction ended his battles for civil rights. 14 years later, Stephen Yagman is back
After serving 29 months in federal prison and staying largely out of sight for another 11 years, famed civil rights lawyer Stephen Yagman is once again brandishing the law.
California
A new, ‘first-class’ high-rise will house homeless people on L.A.’s skid row
Construction kicked off Tuesday on a 19-story homeless housing project designed to reshape a corner of L.A.'s skid row.