Urban Gang Problems
While I am in agreement with much of what Moore wrote regarding gangs and gang violence in Los Angeles, there are a few points with which I take issue.
Of particular concern is her conclusion that “Few people actually are affected by gang violence.” I suggest to her that everyone who lives in a community in which gang activity is occurring suffers. The presence of graffiti, for example, intimidates, defaces and depresses the neighborhood. In real terms, it lowers property values and discourages those who might otherwise consider investing in those neighborhoods.
Further, contrary to her conclusion that “With some well publicized exceptions, gang wars usually hurt people in gangs,” at the present time we have 179 gang-related homicides for the year of 1987. Ninety-one of those involve victims who were not gang members but ordinary citizens. That is significantly more than “some well publicized exceptions.”
I don’t quarrel with her conclusions regarding the social problems which contribute to the gang problem, but let’s not minimize the crushing impact gangs have on this community and suggest the problem is less serious than it is.
LT. ROBERT RUCHHOFT
Los Angeles Police Department
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