Local News in Brief : Gang Sweep Nets 110
Law enforcement officials combed South Los Angeles to put pressure on street gangs for the seventh time in five weeks, arresting 110 people for drug violations, outstanding warrants and other crimes.
From 8 p.m. Thursday to 2:30 a.m. Friday, a task force of 180 patrol, gang and traffic officers, combined with California Highway Patrol and probation officers, arrested 75 gang members and 35 non-members, Los Angeles Police Detective Verne King said.
Officers seized 46 cars, six firearms, 151 grams of cocaine, 22 grams of marijuana and one milliliter of PCP during the sweep, King said. Thirty-four of the arrests were listed as drug related, while others concerned outstanding warrants, misdemeanor curfew violations and other crimes.
The multi-agency task force, deployed Feb. 26, had combed the South Los Angeles area five other nights during the month of March, arresting more than 700 suspected gang members.
Earlier Thursday, Supervisor Kenneth Hahn asked Gov. George Deukmejian to declare a state of emergency in the county and assign National Guardsmen to ride along with police in a “show of force” against violence and gang activity.
But Deukmejian rejected the request Friday, with a spokesman saying that declarations of emergencies can be made only upon a formal request from the full Board of Supervisors.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
