What is the state of gang injunctions in the wake of the Rampart scandal?

By Gregory Rodriguez

First Appeared: Los Angeles Times – August 5, 2001 (portion of interview of Rocky DelGadillo)

Q: What is the state of gang injunctions in the wake of the Rampart scandal?

A: There’s been a somewhat chilling affect. One of my goals is to use them in a much more comprehensive way. Currently, gang injunctions cover a neighborhood and effectively what they do is chase the gang members to the next neighborhood. What I’d like to do is start chasing gang members out of gangs and into opportunities. It was almost by accident that the neighborhood of the Van Nuys General Motors plant we redeveloped had a gang injunction in force across the street on Blythe Street. Blythe Street is now one of the safest streets, and has had a 70% crime reduction. There are now people who live on Blythe Street who work across the street in the retail center. I think if you provide opportunities for young people in the community for a better life, it might start a snowball effect.

Q: Are you concerned that gang injunctions could be an infringement on civil liberties?

A: I grew up in a neighborhood where gangs were present and pervasive. They had an impact on the quality of life and civil liberties of innocent people. I believe that gang injunctions are an important tool in trying to reduce crime.