Naming Names
As part of its crackdown on gangs, LA Police Chief William Bratton has broken with a four-decade tradition and is naming the gangs who've made the city the gang capital of America.
Critics say the decision is wrong. They say in the gang world, publicity if a badge of honor.
I don't agree.
To fight gangs you need to know your enemy. Gangs are not generic. One size definitely does not fit all.
In the notorious Casa Blanca neighborhood of Riverside, the Vagabundos and Devil Wolves may seem alike at first glance.
They are both Hispanic. They share the same square-mile neighborhood. But they've been killing each other for more than three decades.
Each gang shares common traits, yet each gang is unique. And if gangs like the attention, Bratton says so be it. He'll give them all the attention they want, not to mention prison time.
I think the more the public knows about their community the better.
What do you think?
Comments
I have personally heard of gang members priding themselves on making TV news and into the newspaper publicizing their evil traits.
However, I do think the public needs to be informed as well, a double edge sword if there ever was one.
Posted by: Mike Atlas | February 26, 2007 5:40 PM
nothing is being done they need to take this real serious and do something.more people are dying in pomona than los angeles. this is stupid the mayor of pomona doesnt care about anyone.there needs to be a huge march or something not one more person should go through this!
Posted by: Jane | August 18, 2007 12:52 PM