Aug 13, 2024 07:00:00

There is actually a gang that uses the Sheriff's Department as its base to commit violence against inmates.

There are areas in Los Angeles, USA, where gangs have a large influence, and the Japanese Consulate General and others are

urging caution (PDF file) . In Los Angeles, some of the sheriffs who should be protecting the citizens are gang members who are violently terrorizing the black and Latino communities.

A Tradition of Violence: The History of Deputy Gangs in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department - Knock LA
https://knock-la.com/tradition-of-violence-lasd-gang-history/

LA is investigating 50-year-old police gangs, finally | Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/la-is-investigating-50-year-old-police-gangs-finally-2022-03-30/

Since the 1970s, some sheriffs in Los Angeles have systematically harassed and discriminated against people of color, illegally detained them, and used excessive force. The first gang to attract public attention was the Little Devils, a gang based in the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, whose members have tattoos showing the Grim Reaper to identify themselves as members of the group.

The groups also provided illegal protection to members who had been disciplined for theft or alcohol or drug abuse while on duty, and there were reports of retaliation against other deputies who threatened or disrupted the groups' activities.

In fact, in 2008, a group of security personnel fired Tasers at a Latino inmate for about six hours and

threatened to kill him (PDF file). As a result of the violent assault, a total of 19 inmates were reported to have been killed or injured.

ABC7 - Violent jail cell extraction at Men's Central Jail - YouTube


According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, there are 18 gang organizations within the organization as of March 2022. In July 2022, the American Civil Liberties Union and others filed a lawsuit, claiming that 'these organizations control parts of Los Angeles with violence.'

In response to the formation of gang groups by sheriffs, the California State Assembly enacted an ordinance in 2022 stipulating that 'the existence and participation of gang groups by sheriffs in the state is prohibited.' In addition, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Civilian Oversight Board conducted an investigation into gang groups within the Sheriff's Department in March 2022, and as a result, the involvement of former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Villanueva's close subordinate Larry Del Mese was confirmed.

In addition, six sheriffs, including Villanueva, have beenfired (PDF file) so far due to the activities of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Civilian Oversight Committee.