Gangs: Page 10

Blood Brothers: Cartel Ties That Bind

Like the unwanted dandelions that sprout in lawns, cartel and gang partners continue to adapt and survive. The systematic corruption of our police, courts and political system is their goal.

Jose 'Bat' Marquez, a member of the Mexican Mafia, was extradited to the U.S. in January 2007 to face a multitude of drug and weapons charges. Photo courtesy of Richard Valdemar.

Blood Brothers: Roots of a Cartel War

Like the evolution of the Italian Mafia in U.S. cities such as New York and Chicago, Mexican smugglers or "contrabandistas" evolved from crude thuggish beginnings to more criminally sophisticated organized crime groups.

The brutal murder of DEA Agent Kiki Camarena by a Mexican drug cartel is dramatized in the 1990 TV mini-series, 'Drug Wars: The Camarena Story.' Photo courtesy of Richard Valdemar.

LAPD's CRASH vs. LASD's OSS

You don't become a gang expert overnight. You don't become qualified to testify in court in just a couple of years. LAPD rotated its officers in and out of CRASH gang units and station areas, but the OSS gang deputies remained in OSS and LASD stations for years, allowing them to develop greater, more complete expertise.

Gang Patches Web 1

Florence 13: The Other Transnational Gang

The Los Angeles Sheriff's OSS Gang Task Force targeting the F-13 gang soon received information that the F-13 gang was enforcing Mexican Mafia orders to tax all drug dealers, to tax Sureño gangs, to kill rival blacks and run them out of the city, and to tax "Mica Mills" (counterfeit document mills) that produce fake identification and immigration documents.

Gangs: The 'Ultimate' In Police Work

In his years as a gang cop, Sgt. James Bisetti witnessed few gang members in Long Beach, which is primarily a Crip-gang city, successfully leave gang life.

Det. Sgt. James Bisetti retired from the Long Beach (Calif.) PD after a 30 year career, including 20 as a gang cop.

Are Muslim Radicals Crossing Our Border?

The transnational gangs, drug trafficking organizations and Muslim terrorists have taken advantage of American apathy and the lack of will in Latin America. They have formed alliances and united against U.S. interests.

A view of the U.S.-Mexico border near Nogales, Ariz., looking toward Mexico. Photo by Paul Clinton.

Paintball Wars: Effective Reality-Based Training

Based on my experience, I'd say my paintball games were more realistic and useful training experiences than any contrived multiple-target drill, falling plates, or even live shoot house. These scenarios are good, but they are all "set up."

Photo via The-Jeff (Flickr).

Paintball Wars: Defending Against Multiple Attackers

In paintball scenarios, you battle multiple adversaries often in close quarter combat in urban or built-up locations. You either assault or defend a position. You must shoot and move. This, in my opinion, beats time on most static pistol ranges.

Photo via magoexperto (Flickr).

When the Mexican Mafia Takes Out a Pawn

Art Romo's association with high powered La Eme members, his loyal service as a liaison to the drug cartels, his close association to Mexican Mafia lawyers, and his usefulness as a front man, meant nothing when challenged by a real made member.

Field Interviews During Gang Stops

Whether I was recovering a weapon, apprehending a wanted gangster, documenting an association between gangsters, interrupting a drive-by shooting or gang fight, recording a gang member at a specific time, place and location, or developing rapport, they were all fruitful.

Photo courtesy of Lou Savelli.

A Jaundiced Eye and Blood Red Ink

The Times apparently now has a policy of protecting teen suspects from public exposure, while choosing to expose a witness who courageously risked testifying in the court. As the LAPPL aptly asked, "Why do this?" The answer is shameful: to sell papers.

Informant Michael Robinson suffered a heart attack that may have been a result of the intimidation he experienced, after a newspaper story identified him. Photo courtesy of Richard Valdemar.

Evaluating Gang Training for Officers

If you're looking for good gang training, remember all gang training is not equal. Many of these sources suffer from poor curriculum and sub-standard instructors.

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