Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Gang-related violence increased nearly 40 percent in the area of Los Angeles plagued by a police corruption scandal, figures showed.
Gang violence is reportedly up in corruption-plagued L.A. area
Criminals may be more brazen after the police scandal
Police in January and February recorded 151 violent gang-related crimes, ranging from extortion to rape and murder, in the city's Rampart area. 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 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.
