Vose St. between Kester and Sepulveda, one block south of Sherman Way, is paved in two-lane concrete with an asphalt meridian.

There are still several homes, set far back from the street on large lots, with old chain link fences, big backyards, fruit trees, rose gardens and more grass than drywall.

But most of the large lots have been sold, and many of the ones that remain have “for sale” signs in front.

The new houses, predictably, are peach and pink, in the garage mahal style. Many have large security fences with menacing dogs in the front yard. There are little trees planted in the narrow space between the curb and the sidewalk.

There are Mercedes, Land Rovers and other expensive cars parked on some driveways. Affluence and fears for personal security are evident. This is an area where murder and prostitution thrive as walnut trees once did.

Vose is long and architecturally fragmented. It is doubtful that even next-door neighbors know each other. Cars speed down as a cut-through from Kester to Sepulveda. At the western end at Sepulveda, is a clean and well maintained shopping center with Jons, Bank of America, CVS and Washington Mutual.