This week's featured reader comments

Last week, we heard from readers whose families had felt the sting of violence. This week, we look at how neighborhoods are affected.

Deanne Fabro writes in response to the shooting of Charles Adam Hall, 17, who died Sept. 1, 2013, in Mid-City:

My condolences to the mother of this young boy who just graduated high school and his whole future ahead of him. I had lived in the 1000 block of Redondo for the last seven  years. In that time period I was a witness to one drive by shooting. This neighborhood is a gorgeous, but i suspect gangs are trying to take over. Its too bad this is happening, I wish the police could do something more.

Stephanie writes this week about the death of DaMar Daniel Rigsby, 24, who was shot Sept. 6 in L.A.'s Vermont Vista neighborhood:

I am so sadden by this. I live right around the corner and I heard the gun shots and heard the car speed away. I prayed no one was hurt. This is tragic and extremely unfortunate. My heart and prayers go out to the family.

Times staff writer Nicole Santa Cruz wrote about Rigsby's mother and sister coming to Los Angeles from Indiana to trace the young man's final steps.

And though it doesn't fit the neighborhood theme, one recent comment was so affecting that it seems best to simply close with it. Matthew wrote this month about Carey Snyder, 63, who was stabbed to death Dec. 29, 2011, in Highland Park:

I think this was my father. May he finally be free.

-- Matt Ballinger