Can coffee and doughnuts revive a neighbourhood? The people of South Central Los Angeles, where the worst American riots of the 20th century erupted ten years ago, certainly hope so. In South Central the opening of a branch of Starbucks, or of a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop, is still rare and cause for celebration. The riots were triggered by the acquittal of four white police officers who had been recorded on videotape beating Rodney King, a black man caught after a highspeed car chase. The four days of arson, looting and violence that followed left 54 people dead, sent 2,400 to hospital, and destroyed $1 billion-worth of property. Fury at the brutality and impunity of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had simmered a long time, but poverty had stoked the fire. The immediate need was therefore not only to revive trust in the police, but also to tackle the lack of resources and opportunity in the neighbourhoods where the rioting had broken out.
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