Life After the Injunction Was Lifted

Almost three months ago, the injunction banning members of the 18th Street gang from gathering in public was lifted because of an ongoing probe of alleged LAPD misconduct. The investigation centers on alleged police corruption in the Rampart Division’s CRASH anti-gang unit.

The impact on the people who live and work in the area where the gang operates has been dramatic. Since the injunction was suspended indefinitely, some say drug dealing and gang-related shootings have become more commonplace. SAMANTHA BONAR spoke with M. Daniel Sanchez, a local business owner frustrated by the situation.

M. DANIEL SANCHEZ

Auto Insurance Broker, Los Angeles

My business is located on Main and Union Avenue, near 8th Street. Since the injunction against the 18th Street gang was lifted, we have been having terrible problems here. With the gang allowed to gather in groups since September, there have been fatal shootings at the corner where my business is, and also farther south on Union near Washington. When I came here last April, there was no problem. Now there are drug deals going on right in front of my business. Every day.

The drug dealers don’t care, basically. I call the police to arrest them, but they say, “You have to call us when they’re doing the deal.”

This goes on during the day, when a lot of people--kids--are walking on the streets and can get hurt. It is very frustrating to have to put up with gangsters doing business just outside your business. They don’t care that there are decent people around just doing their daily things.

The situation has escalated since the injunction was lifted, and it definitely has affected my business. A lot of people are afraid to come here now. You know you won’t go to a place where there is gang activity--shootings and drug dealing. It makes me feel unsafe to be here, too.

My neighbors and I are afraid of offending the people in gangs. One time, some of them stuck an express mail sticker right on my front door. They do that as a kind of warning that they’re watching you. Also, have you seen the shoes laced together thrown over telephone wires? That means that is a place to buy drugs. Well, on the corner by my shop there are nine pairs hanging from the wires.

I’ve contacted police about the problem. It’s a cat-and-mouse game. When the police come, the dealers scatter like cockroaches. As soon as the patrol cars pull away, they come right back.

I don’t care if it’s a CRASH unit or whatever they have, but they’ve got to do something about the problem.

Three weeks ago, at around 4:30 p.m., we had another gang shooting right on the corner. But nothing happens, and it’s just another shooting.