I remember street gangs in Milwaukee 20+ years ago. They weren't packing Ak-47s or MAC-10s, but they would kill you with a knife, chain or their fists if you got into it with them. I really don't understand where people think this is a "new" phenomenon. I know you probably had a few of them in NY growing up, Joe and Dan.
And for the record, the big spiders in SoCal are in the desert, for the most part. I have never had one in my house that was bigger than a wolf spider. I did, however have a large lizard in my house once. He was about 15 inches long and VERY fast! We get them in the garage once in a while too. But they eat insects, so I let them stay, if they stay in the garage.