Politicians Back Call for Gang Loitering Law
Los Angeles politicians lined up Tuesday to back a proposed ordinance to allow police to arrest loitering street gang members who show an intent to intimidate.
“The residents of my district are tired of people talking about the rights of gang members,” said City Councilman Nick Pacheco at a news conference in Boyle Heights. “What about the rights of hard-working men and women and children to go about their daily lives free of fear and intimidation?”
Pacheco, who is running for reelection next month, was joined by Mayor James K. Hahn, City Council President Alex Padilla, Police Chief William J. Bratton and Councilman Ed Reyes in endorsing a proposal similar to one enacted by Los Angeles County in 1999.
“Law-abiding citizens shouldn’t be afraid to go get a carton of milk at night,” Hahn said. “This ordinance will put gang members on notice.”
Pacheco said he expects some opposition. But he said the proposed ordinance would reduce the need for the time-consuming civil injunctions against specific gangs that have been the city’s traditional approach to curtailing gangs that control a territory.
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