Leadership Void Contributes to Gang Crime in Highland Park

As previously reported on Patch, LAPD officers are still seeking information about a shooting that took place on Marmion Way on Sunday, Sept. 25.

Lt. Steve Flores of LAPD's Northeast Division said that Sunday's seemingly random shooting, in which no one was injured, fits the profile of the types of crimes committed by young and inexperienced gang members.

Flores said that a multi-agency takedown of a 2008 takedown of a Northeast L.A. gang headquarters on Drew Street in Glassell Park has created a "leadership vacuum," which younger gang members are attempting to fill.

"Now you have all these leaderless guys going out there trying to make a name for themselves by causing havoc," Lt. Flores said.

Flores added that, while the gang scene in Highland Park is less predictable than it was prior to the 2008 raid, there are also fewer major crimes.

"It's difficult to deal with, but it's better than dealing with the big boys who commit the major crimes," Flores said. "It's easier to catch the younger guys because they have no idea what they're doing."

LAPD's Northeast Division is also in the process of acclimating 14 new members into its Gang Impact team. Those officers were in hired at the end of June after officers previously serving on the unit .

Detective David Mejia said that during those six months, many of the officers who worked the gang unit were still out on the beat, but had to prioritize radio calls over daily gang monitoring activities, like enforcing injunctions that prohibit gang members from entering rival neighborhoods. 

Ed. Note: As a general rule, Patch does not publicize the names of local gangs.