Ten-year-old Benito Tirjeron jumps over a puddle on the edge of the Parklawn neighborhood in Modesto, Calif., March 1, 2012. Across California there are hundreds of unincorporated communities like Parklawn. While a few are some of the state's richest areas; most lack sewer systems, clean drinking water, sidewalks, street lights, and storm drains. Populated by poor, working class Latinos, they're neglected by local government and lack the resources to install the most basic infrastructure that... more »
Ten-year-old Benito Tirjeron jumps over a puddle on the edge of the Parklawn neighborhood in Modesto, Calif., March 1, 2012. Across California there are hundreds of unincorporated communities like Parklawn. While a few are some of the state's richest areas; most lack sewer systems, clean drinking water, sidewalks, street lights, and storm drains. Populated by poor, working class Latinos, they're neglected by local government and lack the resources to install the most basic infrastructure that city residents rely on.
"We have Third World conditions, not only in this area, but in other areas of rural California. Some of it has to do with political will - perhaps in the past, they never had politicians willing to ensure that infrastructure goes to areas that really need it." - California Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez « less
