Gangs a problem even on Catalina

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is cracking down on what officials describe as a small but disturbing gang problem on Santa Catalina Island.

Sheriff’s deputies assisted probation officers in a sweep across the island July 2, making five arrests. Most were members of the Brown Pride Locos.

“Catalina is a very safe place, but there is a gang issue here,” said Lt. Ed Cook, who is based on the island. “They aren’t doing drive-by shootings or walk-by shootings. But gang members . . . are tagging, committing burglaries and other crimes.”

Cook said there are about 30 known gang members on the island. A chief concern among deputies is that some of them were seen with more hard-core gangsters, believed to be members of the mainland gang Florencia 13, Cook said.

The Sheriff’s Department worked to make it a condition of probation that island gang members cannot associate with each other, he said.

“Most of these kids have known each other for years,” Cook said. “Unfortunately, when they get together they plan their criminal activities.”

Cook said 10 deputies patrol the island. Although populated areas are small, the more desolate outreaches of the island make it hard to keep an eye on all the activities, he said.

Avalon Mayor Bob Kennedy said the island’s crime problems are restricted to a small group of youngsters, and that sheriff’s officials had exaggerated the situation. He vowed to oppose Avalon’s contract with the Sheriff’s Department if it continues to make such claims.

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richard.winton@latimes.com