NCJ Number
149144
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The Civil Gang Abatement procedure of the Los Angeles City Attorney is a coordinated effort by prosecutors, police, and local residents to significantly reduce illegal gang activity through the procurement of a civil court injunction that prohibits gang members from engaging in certain otherwise lawful conduct.
Abstract
Without a Civil Gang Abatement, uniformed police vainly try to enforce drug laws against street drug dealers, who flash hand signs, wave at vehicles, and take other actions prior to selling drugs. These actions are likely to be the only ones the uniformed police officer observes, although they precede the actual exchange of money for drugs. In contrast, the legal procedure known as a Civil Gang Abatement is similar to the procedure used with picketers involved in an ordinary labor strike. Aggressive enforcement of an injunction enables law enforcement to effectively prevent imminent criminal activity by arresting persons for prohibited patterns of conduct that are known to precede and facilitate the crimes. A combined group of police, prosecutors, and neighborhood residents gather evidence to prove to a judge that certain patterns of conduct further the illegal drug activity of the local gang. The Community Impact Team also determines the need for other remedies such as trash collection to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. Thus, Civil Gang Abatement is most effective when used as part of a coordinated effort involving law enforcement, community mobilization, and the restoration of municipal services essential to quality of life.