|
News
Details of City Prosecutor's "East Side Longos" Anti-Gang Injunction
In stark terms (we quote text), Prosecutor Reeves told court about life in LB gang infested neighborhoods
(December 1, 2001) -- Describing life in two LB neighborhoods in stark terms, LB City Prosecutor Tom Reeves has succeeded in obtaining an injunction (a court order) against the notorious "East Side Longos" street gang and 23 of its most active members.
In two specified areas of the city (boundaries below), the permanent injunction granted by the LB Superior Court forbids gang members from gathering in public with other gang members, drinking alcohol in public, possessing guns, knives, clubs or other weapons and generally committing anti-social or criminal acts.
The injunction applies in two areas:
- Bounded on the north by PCH, on the south by Anaheim St., on the east by Locust Ave and on the west by Daisy Ave.
- Bounded on the north by PCH, on the south by 4th St., on the east by Junipero Ave and on the west by Atlantic Ave. (from 4th to 10th St, then 10th east to MLK) and MLK N. to PCH
The two areas specified are locations where effects of the East Side Longos are most concentrated, Mr. Reeves' office said in a release.
In seeking the court order, Mr. Reeves told the court:
Imagine, if you can, life in a neighborhood dominated by the East Side Longos street gang. Life in this neighborhood means learning to avoid groups of East Side Longos memebers standing around on sidewalks or gathering in the common area of your apartment building. It means coping with East Side Longos drinking in public, using drugs, playing loud music, and putting graffiti on the fences and buildings. For anyone coming to the [injunction] Target Areas and especially Asian Americans and African Americans, it means the East Side Longos might attack you just because you chose to walk on "their" sidewalk, or stop your car on "their" street, or use a public pay phone or merely talk to your family and friends on "their" turf. It means praying that the next gun battle leaves you and yours untouched.
Mr. Reeves' office said funds to obtain the injunction come from a $95,000 law enforcement grant provided by L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe. "Using Los Angeles County funds means the injunction didn't cost the citizens of Long Beach anything," Mr. Reeves said in a release.
The release quotes Supervisor Knabe as saying, "We have got to take our streets and neighborhoods back from these criminals."
|
|