Wave Staff Report
LOS ANGELES — The city’s Get Connected initiative will provide free public WiFi access along the Crenshaw Corridor.
In partnership with Destination Crenshaw, City Council District 8 and City Council District 10, the initiative aims to close the digital divide to ensure residents of South Los Angeles have access to reliable internet, which is critical for education, employment, health care and everyday communication.
Free Wi-Fi is available along a 1.5-mile stretch from Leimert Park to the Hyde Park Rail Station spanning areas within both City Council Districts 8 and 10. The network provides access in public spaces, parks and along major streets. Residents can connect to the network by selecting “DestinationCrenshawWiFi”; no password is required.
“Access to Wi-Fi means access to opportunity,” Mayor Karen Bass said in announcing the initiative. “We are taking every step possible to create a Los Angeles that is more connected and more accessible for all.”
“Crenshaw Connected is more than building out network infrastructure; it is about ensuring our residents have equal access to education, employment, and full civic participation,” said City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who represents the 8th Council District. “This sets a precedent for how we can eliminate the digital divide.”
The Get Connected initiative goes beyond Wi-Fi access. It also serves as a centralized hub for digital resources across Los Angeles, helping residents find free internet locations, access digital skills training, and connect to low-cost devices and programs.
“Reliable internet access should not be a luxury afforded only to those who can pay for it,” 10th District City Councilwoman Heather Hutt said. “As our city continues to demonstrate how equity can be championed across all sectors, providing free public internet is a critical step towards ensuring every Angeleno has the tools to participate in today’s digital world.”
Also participating in the Get Connected initiative is the Los Angeles Library.
“For many years, the Los Angeles Public Library has been at the forefront of advancing digital equity and inclusion through both advocacy and direct service, grounded in the belief that internet access is a basic necessity,” City Librarian John F. Szabo said. “This initiative is an exciting opportunity to deepen that commitment and broaden its impact.”
To learn more and find free Wi-Fi locations near you, visit: getconnected.lacity.gov.
