Gang Injunctions

Gang Injunctions & Civil Abatement in Los Angeles

A gang injunction in Los Angeles is when the City Attorney’s Office with approval from a judge issues a restraining order against specific gang members of a particular gang. With information gathered from police officers, a judge will grant a restraining order against identified members of a gang, in essence suing them. In the lawsuit, the actual gang members are mentioned, and they are forbidden to engage in a host of activities, some of which are already illegal such as selling drugs, vandalizing property and possessing weapons. Other activities that they are restricted from doing have included associating with other named gang members, curfew or riding bicycles. Each gang injunction must define a geographic area where these activities are restricted known as a “safety zone.”

Los Angeles first started experiencing with gang injunctions in the early 1980s in Pomona, West Covina, and E. LA, but the injunction against the Play Boy Gangster Crips in 1987 is when these civil abatement strategies first gained national attention. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the constitutionality of the injunctions and city attorney James Hahn was forced to modify his lawsuit. Since then, several injunctions have been implemented in LA County including in Inglewood against the Crenshaw Mafia Bloods, in Los Angeles against 18th Street and the Harpys, and in Norwalk against the Orange Street Locos to name a few. There have been just over 30 injunctions in LA County. The ACLU has continued to take the position that gang injunctions violate civil rights and in a report published in 1997 the ACLU has claimed that they are not that effective in abating crime.

The popularity of the injunctions have seen places such as San Diego and San Jose, California, San Antonio, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois to adopt similar strategies against their gangs. Although the California Supreme Court ruled that the city of San Jose may implement gang injunctions when it overturned a 1995 appellate court decision in the ACLU case, People v. Acuna, because of the vague language of Chicago’s 1992 anti gang ordinance, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1999 that it was unconstitutional and challenged individual freedoms (see Chicago v. Morales).

In the San Diego injunction, the California appeals court stated that gang members can keep their pagers and cited that restricting pagers for any purpose violates ones freedom of speech.


ARTICLES on GANG INJUNCTIONS

2013
Gang injunction granted in Echo Park, September 26, 2013
Activists and law enforcement square off over gang injunctions, September 14, 2013
Gang injunction foes fail to win support of Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, September 4, 2013
Does Echo Park need a gang injunction?, August 18, 2013
Community activists storm LA court to oppose gang injunctions, August 21, 2013
New City Attorney to study proposed Echo Park area gang injunction, July 23, 2013
Gang injunction curfews in Los Angeles are now illegal to enforce, July 12, 2013
Gang Injunction Clears Hurdle in Santa Barbara, July 11, 2013
City Attorney seeks court injunction against six Echo Park area gangs, June 18, 2013
Imperial police seeks gang injunction, April 20, 2013
Judges Show Unease With Orange Gang Injunction (Pasadena), April 10, 2013
Grape Street Crips on gang injunctions & possible peace with East Coast Crips, March 1, 2013

2012
Oxnard streets are getting safer, July 13, 2012

2011
New outdoor mural in Fruitvale inspired by gang injunction defendants, August 14, 2011
LA County wins 16-square-mile gang injunction (La Puente), July 22, 2011
Oakland gang injunctions win narrow support from City Council, May 18, 2011
Gang-injunction debate continues, May 17, 2011
ACLU Wins Gang Injunction Suit, but Ruling Won’t Affect San Juan, S.C., May 12, 2011
Russo resigns, Oakland City Council to vote on gang injunction strategy, May 4, 2011
Baldwin Park Police Department doubles size of gang unit amid continued violence, May 1, 2011
Baldwin Park mulls gang injunction as prosecutors move forward with plans for La Puente area injunction, March 29, 2011
Hayward lawmakers to hear update on gang injunction program, March 20, 2011
Police agencies may copy Ogden’s gang restraining orders, March 5, 2011
Gang Injunctions to Be Filed Soon, March 3, 2011
Lawsuit takes aim at Los Angeles gang injunctions, February 14, 2011

2010
Gang problem not serious enough for injunction, Sheriff says, October 28, 2010
North County Comes To Grips With Gang Problems, Oct 6, 2010
Ogden police enforcing gang restraining orders, Oct 5, 2010
Injunction singles out 2 Visitacion Valley gangs, Oct 1, 2010
Ogden court to make decision on controversial gang plan, Sept 27, 2010
Resource officers keep schools safe, build rapport with students, Aug 22, 2010
Judge OKs Oakland gang injunction, June 3, 2010
Oakland Gang Injunction approved: Opt-out clause added to proposal, May 28, 2010
Oakland gang injunction is a false solution, May 26, 2010
Solano County court decision on permanent gang injunction must wait, May 2, 2010
DA, Sheriff work to Eradicate Gangs in Cutler and Orosi (Tulare County, CA), April 27, 2010
Oakland Gang Crackdown: Friend or Foe to Community?, April 15, 2010
Injunction bars gang members from LA’s Skid Row, April 7, 2010
Video: San Jose city leader wants to expand gang injunctions, Feb 25, 2010
Oakland to ask court for injunction against gang, Feb 18, 2010
Video: Witness LAPD attempting to enforce a gang injunction, Feb 14, 2010

2009
Injunction targets San Bernardino gang, Dec 21, 2009
SM police chief defends lack of gang injunction, Dec 9, 2009
Duarte officials afraid neighbor’s gang injunction will strengthen a gang in their city, Nov 23, 2009
Kay Bee from Crenshaw Mafia Blood talks about peace in Inglewood, Nov 17, 2009
ACLU Sues OC over Gang Injunction, Sept 23, 2009
Gang database: Just how accurate, how fair?, Sept 20, 2009
LAPD to focus anti-gang efforts on South L.A., Aug 25, 2009
Gang injunction splits Hawaiian Gardens, Aug 1, 2009
Attorney wants judge disqualified in Solano County gang injunction case, July 6, 2009
St. Paul police sue to keep gangs away from Rondo Days, July 1, 2009
Judge disqualified in gang case, July 3, 2009
Gang injunctions have helped in some counties, June 29, 2009
Suing for Peace, June 28, 2009
Plan to modify L.A. gang injunctions splits lawmakers along party lines, June 26, 20
LA city attorney seeks gang injunction at school, June 16, 2009
Injunction won’t get rid of gang, June 12, 2009
With crime in decline, a fragile sense of hope, June 7, 2009
Judge grants injunction against Barrio Van Nuys gang, June 3, 2009
In an Unprecedented Move, DA Dismisses Bulk of Gang Injunction Cases in Orange, May 27, 2009
Judge approves DHS gang injunctions, May 15, 2009
City attorney has Barrio Van Nuys gang in his cross hairs, May 6, 2009
Civil gang injunctions and other legal tools for preventing crime: an overview, May 1, 2009

2008
Norteño safe zone permanent, May 6, 2008
Anti-gang injunction evolves mixed feelings, April 27, 2008
Street gang members served an injunction, March 21, 2008
Gang members notified of safety zones, March 15, 2008
LA Daily News: Court ban on gangs effective, devisive, January 12,2008

2007

Injunction issued against Riverside gang, August 25, 2007
From social club to street gang, March 21, 2007
Judge grants an injunction against L.A. street gang, February 28, 2007
Injunction to be filed against 204th street gang, January19, 2007

2006

Judge ok’s Southside Chiques injunction, October 24, 2006
S.F. attorney wants to create gang free zone, October 23, 2006
Gang Injunction: 300 black men targeted, October 20, 2006
O.C. Oxnard Police, DA considers second gang injunction, July 15, 2006
L.A. city atty. seeks injunction against gang, June 02, 2006
Injunction has community feeling handcuffed, April 28, 2006
L.A. gets federal grant to fight gang violence, April 01, 2006
On paper, leaving a gang is difficult, March 23, 2006

2005

West Sac’s catch-22, December 21, 2005
New study says gang injunction provides short term benefits, September 29, 2005
L.A. implements gang injunctions, August 23, 2005
Oxnard Police, DA considers second gang injunction, July 15, 2005
Judge grants perliminary Vista gang injunction, July 1, 2005
Anti-gang injunction made permanent, June 2, 2005
Questions delay ruling on injunction, May 3, 2005
Judge to rule on injunction within weeks, March 26, 2005
Permanent gang order is urged, March 3, 2005
Anit-gang strategy is called a success, March 23, 2005
Judge bars 3 gangs around South L.A. park, February 1, 2005
Injunction erodes hope, January 30, 2005
Oxnard solution is flawed, January 30, 2005
There’s a better way to deal with gangs, January 30, 2005
Witnesses identified for injunction trial, January 30, 2005
Oxnard man loses request to be removed from gang injuction judge says evidence proves gang ties, January 5, 2005
Gang officers find weapons cache, January 4, 2005
Police consider limiting gang with “safety zone”, January 23, 2003

2004

Injection of justice into vein of tyranny, December 14, 2004
Result of injunction: Crime way down, November 28, 2004
Experts say mean streets lead to unhealthy children, August 15, 2004
Information distorted to promote injunction, August 15, 2004
Wilmington Gang injunction caused crime statistics to plunge, August 12, 2004
Your letters: Oxnard gang injunction, August 3, 2004
Colonia Civil Rights Coalition organize to fight injunction, August 1, 2004
Injunction facts, July 31, 2004
Police Serving Notice of Gangs, June 9, 2004
Public defender to enter injunction fight judge says four people can get their argument heard in court, July 9, 2004
Judge hints gang injunction will be permanent, July 9, 2004
California; Gang Ban is cutting crime police says, June 19, 2004
Oxnard gang ruling delayed, May 25, 2004
Many unconvinced of need for injunction, May 23, 2004
Venture County builds case against gang, may 23, 2004
Injunction targets gang as a whole, May 15, 2004
Gang unfazed by law, injunction targets see rise in crime, March 6, 2004

2003
L.A. targets two gangs with restraining order, March 3, 2003
Media district included in LAPD gang injunction, December 2003
Oceanside gang injunction extended, November 8, 2003
Do gang injunctions work, November 15, 2003
An injunctions price tag, November 15, 2003
Gang drug dealing targetted in revamped Hollywood, November 8, 2003
How the so-called war on gangs is strippping the rights of a whole community, October 26, 2003
Judge extends limits on gang: injunction placed on the members of Center Street group, September 13, 2003
Police consider limiting gang with safety zone, January 12, 2003
City targets gang in Nickerson Gardens, August 29, 2003
 Cooley, Delgadillo seek gang injunction in Watts, August 28, 2003
 D.A. -city attorney seeks injunction against street gang in Nickerson Gardens area, August 28, 2003
Flying the Flag: The debate over the latest gang crackdown, July 18, 2003
City attorney Delgadillo secures permanent injunction against KAM criminal Street gang, January 23, 2003

2002

-Injunction takes aim at Northeastern L.A. gang, December 20, 2002
-Oceanside police pursue two more gang injunctions, December 8, 2002
-Logan Heights gang members prohibited from congregating, November 1, 2002
Delgadillo says he is seeking gang injunction to give area hope, October 8, 2002
-LAPD steps up against gang rage or, with a super squeeze, July 29, 2002
-19 year old father lastest gang victim, July 26, 2002
-Judge’s decision against gang members will stand, June 5, 2002
-A town fights gangs by obtaining right to sue them, May 20, 2002
-Gang members fight action, March 23, 2002
-Area put off-limits to Valley gang members, February 26, 2002
-Judge lifts injunction against gang member, February 21, 2002
-PVE police meets with surfrider foundation, January 17, 2002
-Judge makes injunction permanent, January 12, 2002

2001

-Supervisor Knabe announces gang injunction against East Side Longos, November 30, 2001
-LAPD slaps Pacoima gang with injunction, October 6, 2001
-Seond set of gang injunctions signed, September 8, 2001
-New begining for Perry Park, August 16, 2001
-Suspected gang member speaks out, August 12, 2001
-What is the state of gang injunctions in the wake of the Rampart scandal?, August 5, 2001
-Politics in the steet, the debate that matters on gang injunction, May 25, 2001
-ACLU wins higher legal standards for gang injunctions, May 10, 2001
-Hahn, Villaraigosa exchange increasinly bitter accusations, April 27, 2001
-Hahn begins TV ads in Mayoral race, February 25, 2001
-ACLU fights limits on gang members, February 14, 2001

2000

Police Crack Down on Gang-Ridden Park, October 25, 2000
Supervisor Knabe Presents City of Long Beach with $95,000 for Gang Prevention Efforts, August 30, 2000
Gang Injunctions Trample Some Basic Rights, June 13, 2000
Phoenix Loses Gang Battle in Court Ruling, June 7, 2000
DuPage judge rejects anti-gang injunction, May 27, 2000
Gang Member Sentenced for Violating Injunction, May 26, 2000
Gang Injunction Gunfight, January 31, 2000
Bill Seeks Legal Aid for Targets of Gang Orders
, January 13, 2000

1999

Hearing on Shatto Park Gang Injunction Delayed, December 9, 1999
Enforcement of Gang Injunction Delayed Again, Dec 9, 1999
Civil Suit Targets Public Activities of Suspected Gang, October 15, 1999
Injunction Junction, October 14, 1999
ACLU-SC Voices Support For District Attorney’s Decision to Halt 18th Street Gang Injunction, Sept 21, 1999
Rampart Probe May Put Gang Injunction at Risk, September 19, 1999
Alleged gang members forbidden to mingle, September 9, 1999
Ending the Roundups, June 21, 1999
Two men first to be sentenced under anti-gang law, June 15, 1999
High Court Voids Chicago Loitering Law Aimed at Gangs, June 11, 1999
Chicago Mayor Criticizes U.S. Court Gang Ruling, June 10, 1999
Gangs Can Congregate, June 10, 1999
Injunction Targets Culver City Gang, June 4, 1999
Injunction isn’t Enough, May 30, 1999
Gangs unusally target victims, but now the city of Los Angeles is targeting gangs in a lawsuit aimed at getting rid of them, March 30, 1999
Chained Gang, January 15, 1999

1998

Chicago Law Targeted at Street Gangs Up for Review, Dec 9, 1998
Superior Court Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction in Gang Case, Dec 1, 1998

California appeals court strikes down ban on carrying pagers
, Oct 28, 1998
L.A. attempts to curb gang activity against Compton Varrio Tortilla Flats, Sept 1, 1998
A Notorious Swath of Drugs and Violence, August 14, 1998
Judge Approves Injunction Against Harpys, August 8, 1998
Local district attorney in Corpus Christi wants to create similar law preventing people from gathering, July 8, 1998
Suspected Gang Members Get Restraining Order Subpoenas in Texas, July 3, 1998
Injunction Targets Hollywood Gang, the Mara Salvatrucha, April 14, 1998

1997

Police in Los Angeles are finding that reams of paperwork can stop gang violence, Nov. 11, 1997
Judge Puts More Heat on 18th Street Gang, August 29, 1997
L.A. to Gang Members: Don’t Even Whistle, Aug 14, 1997
L.A. tries to hold back 18th Street Gang with tough measures, Aug 7, 1997
Judge Bans 18th Street Gang, July 11, 1997
Injunction Issued Against Long Beach Gang, June 10, 1997
City tries gang ban , July 11, 1997
Gangbusters: Enjoining the Boys in the ‘Hood, May-June 1997
ACLU Report Says Gang Injunction Failed to Reduce Crime, May 28, 1997
Culver City Gang Faces Injunction, May 20, 1997
High Court Upholds San Jose’s Anti-Gang Injunction, March/April 1997
Court upholds right to restrict gang activity, February 1, 1997
State High Court Allows Injunctions, Jan 31, 1997

1996

California Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to San Jose Anti-Gang Injunction, October 29, 1996

1995

1994

1993

Unusual Anti-Gang Injunction Leads to Conviction of Man for Having Pager, August 26, 1993

1992

Great moments in free assembly, The San Fers and Shakin Cats, Jan 27, 1992
For Safe Parks, Put Gangs on the Peace Path, Jan 20, 1992

1991

1990

1989

1988

Rethinking gang’s rights vs. our rights, Feb 5, 1988

1987

Judge Raps City Atty.’s bid to nuetralize gangs, Dec. 11, 1987
Court Rejects City Attorney’s bid to curb westside gangs’s movements, November 6, 1987

1983

Los Angeles gangs heeding court order to erase graffiti, Feb 13, 1983

 

 

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  7. I was born and raised in san fernando valley right on the barrio…kewen coronel hungtington , pico workman all the streets are my entire life…both my father and mother family are SAN FERS…and not only am I going to say they are nice ppl..but also they are human just like you and me…they chose to be in a gang and dress the way they do….THIS DONT MAKE THEM OR THERE HOMEBOYS BECOME BAD PERSONS…THE COMMUNITY MAKES THEM BECOME BAD PPL…I AM NOT FROM THE BARRIO BUT ALL THEPL THAT KNOW ME THINK AND POINT ME OUT as a chola…I wish I was and I would walk proud to be from SAN FER BUT I AM NOT…SO TO THE NEW RESIDENTS AND ALL THE POLICE OFFICERS JUST LEAVE THE SAN FERS AND ALL THE OTHERS THAT ARE BAGGY PANTS AND BALD JUST LEAVE THEM AND ME ALONE…WE DNT BOTHER U…SO DNT BOTHER US…CUZ THEN WE WILL BECOME WHAT U ALREADY BLAFF ABOUT US….ALL WE WANT IS TO LISTEN TO OLliveS SMOKE DRINK BE WITH OUR FAMILY BRAGG ABOUT OUR FIRME TATTOOS AND RANFLAS…WE AINT BADD….AND U POLICE OFFICERS PLEASE STOP HARRASING US AND GO CATCH THOSE SEX OFFENDERS THAT WALK IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD..OR WHO DO U WANT US THAT WANT TO JUST LISTEN TO OLliveS OR THEM MOLESTING OUR CHILDREN…I WALK PASS BY THEM FREE REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS EVERYDAY…WHY ARE THEY FREE..UT THEM AWAY…AND ST HARRASSING THE GOOD HARD WORKING GUY THAT HAS TATTOOS AND DRIVES A NICE FIRME CHEVY…

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