Report: Gang Violence Soars In Rampart Area

Suspects Now Say, 'I Know You're From Rampart, So I Won't Get Convicted'

LOS ANGELES, Updated 6:59 p.m. PST March 11, 2000 --

Gang-related violence increased nearly 40 percent over last year in the Rampart area plagued by a police corruption scandal, figures showed. Police in January and February recorded 151 violent gang-related crimes, ranging from extortion to rape and murder. That compared to 108 crimes for the same period in 1999. The increase follows the suspension last fall of two court-ordered injunctions that barred known street gang members from congregating. The injunctions were based on sworn statements from police officers who had lost their credibility. "It could be a blip, or it could be that gang members are being more brazen since the injunctions have been lifted," said Capt. Robert Hansohn, who heads the Rampart division. "It also could be some gang fight beneath the surface." Rampart, located between downtown and Hollywood, has been one of the city's most violent and gang-infested areas. The lifting of the sanctions makes gang members "feel they've been given the green light to go back and terrorize people, and it's going to get worse," argued Ted Hunt, president of the Police Protective League, the union representing police officers. The corruption scandal has centered on a group of anti-gang officers in the Rampart station. Former Officer Rafael Perez has alleged that officers framed and sometime shot innocent people. Since the scandal broke last year, more than 40 convictions have been overturned and at least 20 officers have been relieved of duty. On Friday, police announced that Parks had charged 16 Rampart officers with misconduct, administrative charges that could lead to some being fired. Most of the charges involve a March 1998 "mug party" at the Police Academy where on-duty, uniformed officers drank alcohol. Pending department Board of Rights hearings, Parks, pictured, suspended five officers, temporarily relieved eight more of duty and allowed three others to remain on the job. Rampart station officers said that some gang members have become more brazen because of the scandal. "The bad element in Rampart is really using this to their advantage," Sgt. S. Britt-Nickerson said. Without the injunctions, gang members from outside the area are beginning to return, she said. Suspects now commonly say, "I know you're from Rampart, so I won't get convicted," Detective Danny Burzumato said. The community, meanwhile, is largely behind the Police Department, Hansohn said. "People are in tune," he said. "It's bothersome to them."