Alleged gang hangout targeted

In its stepped-up campaign to curb gang activity, the Los Angeles city attorney’s office Wednesday announced that it had filed a lawsuit against the owner of a small Venice apartment building that is allegedly a home base for drug dealing and other illegal activity by the Shoreline Crips.

The civil lawsuit, which was filed in July, seeks the closure for one year of the three-unit property in the 600 block of San Juan Avenue in the Oakwood neighborhood, officials said.

The suit names property owner Irvin Campbell and five alleged drug dealers and members of the Shoreline Crips who have lived at the property: Justin Campbell, James Coaker, Robert Coaker, Donovin Moore and Mandre Reed.

The suit also seeks to bar the defendants from coming within 1,000 feet of the property.

Since 2001, Los Angeles police have reported 29 narcotics arrests and other incidents originating at the address, as well as numerous citizen complaints, said Deputy City Atty. Chuck Sewell, who filed the lawsuit.

Sewell alleged that the Shoreline Crips used the building as a hangout and a base from which to deal drugs and supply dealers who sell on the street and in an alley behind the property.

“It’s basically been a plague in the neighborhood,” he said. “Everyone’s scared of it.”

Irvin Campbell could not be reached comment.

The lawsuit is the latest in City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo’s new emphasis on combating gangs by removing their base of activity. Delgadillo’s office has filed abatement lawsuits against two other properties allegedly used by the Shoreline Crips.

Delgadillo’s TOUGH program -- Taking Out Urban Gang Headquarters -- has brought abatement lawsuits against or is investigating 69 property owners citywide whose homes or buildings are allegedly being used to commit crimes, said Mary Clare Molidor, chief of the office’s safe neighborhoods division.

Last week, Delgadillo’s office filed nuisance and abatement lawsuits against several Wilmington properties, including a motel, alleging they had been used by the Bloods-affiliated Eastside Pain gang to deal drugs.

sam.quinones@latimes.com