The Gangster Squad

Share your thoughts on the LAPD's unit used to combat organized crime in the 1940s and 1950s.

From the Los Angeles Times

Willie Burns was my Grandfather. A very no nonses guy, Ex-Marine Boxing champ. These hoods threatened his crippled daughter's life, Willie and four of his boys drove by the leaders NEW Car and machine gunned it. Next day the hood was in Willies office all apologetic. It was a very big misunderstanding. From that time on most members of the squad carried Tommy guns home. He retired from LAPD, became Chief of Maywood, then of San Luis Obispo where there was more gang crime north of that city. That problem was also cleaned up. He died soon after that of Lung Cancer.

Richard Burns @ 5:12 PM PST, Nov 16, 2008
This is for commenter #30. When talking about criminal activities, the term lead pipe does not refer to an actual lead pipe. It refers to any pipe with a weighted end used as a weapon. The term came from the practice of takeing a 2' to 3' pice of steel pipe, putting a cap on one end and then pouring hot lead down the open to fill the pipe about 1/4 to 1/2 full of lead.

Doug Collins @ 8:49 AM PST, Nov 14, 2008
Fred and Jack Whalen were my great uncles. I have several photos and stories handed down through the years. I was very excited to read this article.

Kendall Wunderlich @ 1:19 PM PST, Nov 5, 2008
Im the oldest son of BERT PHELPS it"s great series it about time the story was told thanks for doing it Craig Phelps

craig phelps @ 10:35 AM PST, Nov 4, 2008
This was a great read!

Phil @ 4:51 PM PST, Nov 3, 2008
You really should get your story straight before printing this. In addition, concern for the O'Hara Family would have been nice,since this has been put to rest for almost 50 yrs and now some writer out of no where wants to gain something from this. Think again.... only the siblings know the truth from the beginning through today. I say leave the family alone all you have done is bring a lot of past saddness to them all-over again.

The Family @ 11:46 AM PST, Nov 3, 2008
best la times series I've read in a decade.

kevin glynn @ 9:58 AM PST, Nov 3, 2008
I teach organized crime at Indiana University and appreciate the information in this series which touches on the documentary material discussed in the course. Thanks much.

J. @ 4:45 AM PST, Nov 3, 2008
This is an answer regarding the Car in the "Bonnie & Clyde" Whalen family photo. I believe the car is a MARMON.

RHM @ 12:01 AM PST, Nov 3, 2008
Great Stuff! I saved the paper from the past 7 days so I could read it all at once today I hope a some Hollywood producers were also reading it.

AliBob @ 11:32 PM PST, Nov 2, 2008
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