60 Arrests Made by Anti-Gang Task Force

A Los Angeles police anti-gang task force in the Rampart Division has been sweeping through neighborhoods in the Mid-City area, arresting scores of suspected gang members and visiting the homes of others with words of warning in an effort to quell a spate of violence that has claimed the lives of three people, authorities said Friday.

“It’s had a quieting effect so far,” said Capt. Robert Riley, commander of the Rampart station. No violence between warring gangs has been reported since the task force of 40 officers moved in on Monday, he said. The officers have made more than 60 arrests involving assault, drug possession, burglary and auto theft, Riley said. About 80% of those arrested belong to gangs, he said.