LOS ANGELES , Posted 5:48 p.m. PDT April 26, 2000 --
The LAPD said Wednesday the new anti-gang detail being established to replace the disgraced CRASH unit would employ "only the most qualified officers" and focus on the city's "most active and violent gangs."
"The mission of our gang enforcement efforts is to take a leadership role in the reduction of gang crime and violence and improve the quality of life in our communities," Cmdr. David Kalish, the department's chief spokesperson, said in a statement.
The Los Angeles Police Department plans to have the new gang units establish and maintain a highly visible police presence in communities that are plagued by gang activity.
"Gang details will identify and focus their efforts on the most active and violent gangs, as well as their leadership, in order to reduce the proliferation and organization of gangs," the statement said.
The department also plans to involve the community in fighting gang crime by teaching parents, juveniles and organizations, as well as other law enforcement officials, about trends and gang activities.
The officers in the unit "will develop and maintain close relationships with community-based organizations, schools and religious institutions that provide youth programs," Kalish said.
But the primary goals of the units are to "reduce the fear and incidence of gang-related crime; reduce the number of juveniles involved in gangs; and to conduct complete investigations and determine factual information to solve, and when evidence dictates, seek prosecution of gang-related crime."
The department also plans to be more selective when choosing officers for the unit.
"Among the strategies that are an integral part of gang enforcement will be an added emphasis on the selection of only the most qualified officers for this duty. Only officers with a demonstrated history of professional conduct shall be assigned to gang details," Kalish said
The LAPD's prior anti-gang unit, CRASH, was disbanded as an outgrowth of the Rampart Division scandal.
Copyright 2000 by AP
LAPD Promises A New Anti-Gang Unit
Says Gang Units Will Be More Professional