More Monrovia Madness

These gangs have been going at it for years. this story is nothing new. If you check the Archives in the Star News building, I bet you will find this story was done within the past 2 years with MPD saying the exact same thing.

I didn't grow up in Monrovia but was introduced to the community BELOW Colorado Blvd. in 1965 and have had the years to listen and observe the changes, good and bad which have evolved over the years. It was a "Mayberry" at some point back when I lived in the town, of course, I'm not addressing the fact that the town was always separated by the community above Foothill Blve. I didn't understand that to be true but would come to learn that the police responded differently when they had calls to areas of concern. I married black man and my concept of protection was so different than his and it took me quite some time to validate a lot of what he had always been telling me..well, I could go on and on but what really is important is that the COMMUNITY put pressure of THE POWERS THAT BE... to stand up and DEMAND PROTECTION, MORE PROTROLS, MORE ENFORCEMENT...WHO PAYS THE SALARIES..WHY DO WE HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR?

The Monrovia police needs to get tough on the mexican gang members. The mexican gang members have now murdered an innocent 64yr old black male. The gang is now doing racial killings, the federal government needs to help the Monrovia police stop the Nueva Varrio gang from any more racial killings. I am sure if the mexican gangs were killing innocnet whites there would be more action sooner. The Monrovia police has no experience in dealing with violent street gangs.

Duarte Eastside is also taking part in these attacks Frank. It's not just MNV, these two rival gangs have put aside most of their age old hatred of each other to attack Blacks.

Pretty scary stuff.

Local Boy

One other thing Frank, Monrovia PD does have experience in dealing with violent street gangs. Maybe not to the scale of LAPD and LASD in some areas and aren't new to the game.

All street gangs have a portion of very violent members. That goes for MNV and DES. Where the MPD patrol force is pretty young there are still solid senior officers and sergeants who have dealt with violent gang members and know what they're doing.

El Monte Flores, PDL, Rolling 60's, PLK and many other gangs have had members arrested or dealt with by MPD officers in the past. Don't kid yourself into thinking they have no experience.

Local Boy

Here we have kids, killing other kids continuing a vicious cycle that more often than not was a normal part of the environment in which they were raised. The values for respect of life was never passed on to them and before maturity could offer some hope the drugs, the money and the need to feel "a part of" got them caught up in the 'gang' mentality of FAMILY...

The LEADERS of the family turned the other way and "THEY" are you and I, the community, our representatives and our Law enforcers.. Those that "represent" our community are only as STRONG or as WEAK as you and I--WE put them in office and WE are the only ones that can DEMAND change. And yet, I have seen when Law enforcement puts a "heavy" hand into the public, there'll always be statements that one group is being WATCHED more than the OTHER. Tell, me, when do we get OFF that crap and stop this cycle? There's a whole generation being wiped out. I just don't get this race war other than the bully mentality when a lost soul is in need of anything to feel better about his or her self...**Just my thoughts

I feel like a terrible parent! My husband and I chose Monrovia, We chose to buy a home here, we chose to raise our kids here!!! I have to admit, it adds to the (kids playing video games stories) but if I do not allow my kids to walk to the park, if I safely can't have them walk to school, if I choose not to allow them to play outside because "gangs" walk by... I am failing as a parent! And I can admit it. The police have not done there share in many years, beyond this past week, this was just icing on the cake to really put them in the spotlight.

Anonymous- The easy way out is to blame the police. It doesn't take any thinking at all, it's simply reactionary. It's understandable but it isn't factual.

Police arrest gangsters in Monrovia the same as they do anywhere else. They do search warrants, have a unit dedicated to working mostly gangs and drugs and do what they can with the reources they have.

The police department is still several officers below minumum staffing and had to use officers from the special enforcement team to supplement patrol when the department was more than 10 officers short. That limited their ability to work gangs. I'm guessing you were not aware of that.

As of a few days ago the officers were still working without a contract but I heard they either have been or will shortly be offered another one. Hopefully they will get the compensation they deserve and attain full staffing soon.

As a cop you can only do so much. I've said before that the D.A.'s office lets way too many cases against gangsters, as well as others go un-filed. I have sources that tell me that constantly. Any A.D.A. that files and wants to argue that point with me is free to step up.

Back in the old days the filing DA at Pasadena was nicknamed "Hector the Rejector" and I think he was proud of it. Now he's a judge. The beat goes on.

Even if it's a minor new case or a parole or probation violation these thugs should be tossed in county or state prison as much as possible. The reality is that it just doesn't happen. You can blame others and other factors besides cops for that.

Now our idiot of a governor wants to open the doors for thousands of prisoners due to the budget crisis in this state. Think many will make their way to Arnold's neighborhood? How about yours? People are so stupid they'll keep the same clowns in office who got us in this mess, it's a crying shame that party loyalty makes people blind.

I understand that all I've said doesn't make it any easier for a parent like you who is concerned, and rightfully so, about the safety of their child. But to blame officers who are doing the best they can and thinks that's the only reason for the problem is wrong.

There's lots of blame to go around Anonymous. Law enforcement does deserve some but start with the gangsters themselves and their family members that know what they're up to and do nothing. Or worse than that are OK with it, until their gangster kid is killed and they claim they wern't a gang member or they had no clue they were. If you believe that you're nuts.

Than try the gang apologists who attempt to minimze their deadly conduct. Like those who are ok with taggers but not gangsters, like there's much of a difference these days.

I didn't see it in the paper, maybe nobody told a reporter or they missed it, but an officer in this area had the top of one of his fingers bit off, or was nearly bit off by a tagger he stopped.

As I heard the story just yesterday, the officer caught the tagger red handed in the act of tagging. The tagger quickly became combative calling for a few of his friends to help him who were standing nearby. When the officer quickly grabbed him to cuff him before his buddies crossed the street, he chomped down on one of the officers fingers.

Help arrived quickly and the tagger was arrested. These guys are harmless though according to most of their parents, just expresing themselves right? Oh and also arming themselves due to conflicts with gangs and confrontation with cops. You don't read that too much though do you?

Than take a look at people and some sources in the media who are too weak or pc to demand what they know needs to be done to make the community safe though they have the ear of that community.

Than go after weak DA's and lenient judges. They all deserve their moment in the "spotlight", not just cops who are trying to stem the tide best they can.

Most importtantly...keep yourself and your children safe.

Local Boy

I meant below maximum not minumum staffing.

Local Boy

"Local Boy"

Your comments are clear. I think we are all saying the same thing in our own way....For the most part I have a lot of respect for the person behind the badge. They put their lives on the line the instant they put on their uniform--direct targets! As someone already noted, Monrovia has had a "spotlight" thrust upon their law enforcement as a result of recent multiple acts of violence, violence that is far, far from new in this city. Yes, I agree, it's more than just the "Monrovia" police department, it's more than just the local representatives, it goes on and on to who is in control of our (The Taxpayer) rights on the City level, State and Federal. But, in order to resolve a problem, it takes a baby step...starting in ones own home and the community of residence. When a system falls a part the system has to be mended and that takes involvement, i.e., participation in city meetings, letting your representatives know WHO your ARE and HEARING YOUR VOICE. I must say that I never have gone to a local city meeting (and shame on me) but times "are a changing..it takes a village". There's no way of ignoring the violence but another factor that I would like to address, merely from my perspective is the lack of TRUST between the black and brown community towards Monrovia's law enforcement. There's a HISTORY as to the lack of TRUST and for good reasons. Does it still exist, I don't know but surely whatever needs to be done to bring HARMONY has yet to be resolved. I wonder who will "step to the plate" in an attempt to gain the trust in the communities leaders (Is it the cart before the horse or the horse before the cart..don't know)