'Gang-free zone' sought around South L.A. high school

The state attorney general and Los Angeles city attorney announced today they are seeking a court injunction creating a 1.4-square-mile gang-free zone around a high school in South Los Angeles.

The injunction, which would create a safety zone around Fremont High School in the 7600 block of San Pedro Street, would impose a daytime curfew on four gangs, including the Swan Bloods, Florencia 13, Main Street Crips and the 7-Trey Hustlers/Gangster Crips.

Under the injunction, gangsters would be prevented from being on the streets while students walk to and from school, harassing citizens or assembling with other gang members. The zone would be bound by Florence Avenue to the north, Central Avenue to the east, Manchester Avenue to the south and the 110 Freeway to the west and extends 100 yards beyond each of these boundaries.

Prosecutors sought the injunction after a nine-month investigation found gang members intimidated and assaulted Fremont students on the way to and from campus. The gangs also were accused of committing crimes in the neighborhood, including trespassing, drug dealing and vandalism. More serious crimes also were committed, including robberies and homicides.

In April, a man was shot by a woman next to the campus. Last November, four blocks from campus, Swan Blood gang members beat a 16-year-old unconscious and robbed him. In October, an 8-year-old girl was killed a block from the school after she was hit by a bullet fired during a gunfight between rival gangs.

-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[another useless law]

How do you plan for those students to get in to the gang free zone? ANOTHER USELESS LAW how about beef up patrol in the area around schools between 7am and 4 pm with lapd and school police.

[Don]

Decriminalize marijuana and you will get rid of 70% of the income that these gangs receive. The violence is directly proportional to the revenue from illegal drug sales.