New type of gang Injunction
(Nov. 8, 2010) — Calling it the most significant gang injunction in the City of Long Beach, Mayor Bob Foster joined Police Chief Jim McDonnell and City Prosecutor Doug Haubert in announcing a new type of injunction…believed by city officials to be a first of its kind because it targets gang members from all over L.A. County who commit crimes in Long Beach (instead of targeting only gang members based in Long Beach.)
The area subject to the injunction area (declared by city officials to be a “safety zone”) is basically the City of LB from Del Amo Blvd. to its northern city limits, and from the west city limits to roughly Downey Ave.
LBReport.com was first with extended video coverage of the news conference earlier today — including reactions from Councilmembers Rae Gabelich on our front page — www.LBReport.com.
City officials charged that the gangs targeted by this injunction have ties to the Mexican Mafia, which LBPD called in a release “one of California’s oldest and most notorious street gangs which controls gang activity in many prisons, as well as activity on the street which affects our community.”
Police Chief McDonnell detailed LB gang activities that led up to the injunction and said the injunction “is another tool that our Department can use to combat crime and ensure that the community can feel from people who as a lifestyle prey on others.”
In describing the injunction filed by his office, City Prosecutor Haubert stated:
City Prosecutor Haubert: This injunction targeting the North Side Longs and Serenos sends a clear message to violent street gangs: that you’re not welcome in the City of Long Beach.
This is the fourth gang injunction in Long Beach, and perhaps the most signficant gang injunction ever filed in this City, because it names the Serenos, a growing criminal organization known as an umbrella group for some of the most violent and notorious gangs in southern California…
Members of these gangs want to terrorize the neighborhoods and commercial districts where they operate. They congregate outside schools and in parks, alleyways and storefronts, trying to claim these areas as gang territories…
This new gang injunction applies only to the documented North Side Longos and Sereno gang members. The injunction was approved by the Superior Court about six weeks ago, and for the last six weeks the Police Department has been working tirelessly to personally serve the gangmembers identified for the injunction, and those services will continue in the future.
After a documented gangmember is served, a violation of any term of the injunction can result in misdemeanor prosecution
Among the injunction’s prohibitions [detailed on video, paraphrased below] to served individuals:
May not possess open container of alcohol in public view;
May not sell, possess, be under the influence of or use any controlled substance or related paraphrenalia or be in the presence of someone doing the same
May not discharge or possess a firearm, knife or other deadly weapon or remain in the presence of anyone doing the same
May not damage, deface or tag any public or private property or possess any spray paint or other graffiti marking or etching tool
May not obstruct free passage of another person or vehicle on a public right of way
May not loiter in public places
May not flash gang signs or display gang symbols
City Prosecutor Haubert noted that former City Prosecutor Tom Reeves had obtained three previous injunctions; credited Deputy City Prosecutor/Gang Prosecutor Ray George and a gang specialist in the City Prosecutor’s office for their work; and added:
“I especially want to commend the Long Beach Police Department. Several officers spent countless hours conducting interviews, researching, mapping crimes and incidents and pouring over statistics to prepare this injunction. Without their support and hard work, this injunction could not have happened…”
City Prosecutor Haubert concluded by stating:
“North Long Beach belongs to the hard working men and women who call it home. It belongs to the business owners whose investments are helping to revitalize North Long Beach. It does not belong to gang members, and by our action today, we are doing everything in our power to make sure it never does.”
LBPD Chief McDonnell said 107 persons are named in the injunction; 53 have been served by LBPD; 54 are pending service, and, the Chief added, “19 of those are in state prison so the service will not be difficult.” Additional individuals can be added to the injunction, City Prosecutor Haubert said.
City Prosecutor Haubert said that when an arrest is made, it’s typically for something in addition to the gang injunction, but those violating the injunction itself are subject to six months incarceration in county jail, and up to $1,000 fine for each violation of the injunction.
Chief McDonnell added that the injunction is “another tool in the tool box” and said LBPD has “a lot going on in the background and a lot of good work being done not only within Long Beach but with our law enforcement partners throughout the region, at the state and federal level as well.”