LA health inspections (2023–2026) joined to LA County Assessor parcel records. 13-point gap pre-1950 vs 2010s+, holds within zip codes (p<0.001).
Disclosure: I build an iPhone app that surfaces LA/CA health scores. Not mentioning the name here.
by dfireant
2 Comments
Tools: Python (pandas, matplotlib).
Sources: LA County DPH (routine restaurant inspections, 2023–2026) + LA County Assessor (YearBuilt1).
Method: Matched 14,654 restaurants to parcels by normalized address. “Pest violation” = ever cited for rodents, vermin, insects, or cockroaches. Pattern holds within zip codes (z=7.37, p<10^-6).
Years ago I helped remodel a cafeteria in Santa Barbara that had been in business for 60 years. When we pulled out the long serving island, there remained on the floor a 4” high, 75’ long raised freeway median of rat shit along which those little guys had scurried and eaten for decades.