By the early 1990s it was labeled as a "war zone" and was dominated by drug activity and violence. In 1996 the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles implemented a $1.7-million project in which a decorative wrought-iron fence and 11-foot-high wall were built around the complex to decrease crime and gang activity. After its completion, Avalon Gardens became a gated community, and crime and gang violence decreased.
The area became notorious for its high levels of crime and violence by the early 1990s, prompting measures to be taken to secure it. In 1996, the Housing Authority of Los Angeles invested in a physical barrier around Avalon Gardens, featuring a fence and wall, with the objective of reducing crime and gang activity.