LA plans crackdown on gang crime surge

The Associated Press
12:19 p.m. August 25, 2009

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles officials have announced a gang crackdown after a rise in murders and other violence in the central and southern areas of the city.

At a news conference Tuesday, authorities said Los Angeles police, the FBI, California Highway Patrol and other federal, state and local agencies will take part in an anti-gang task force.

The Police Department says its Criminal Gang Homicide Group, which investigates gang-related killings in the 77th Street, Southwest and Southeast areas, has looked into 18 homicides this month – six more than for all of July.

Police say they don't think the crime hike is linked to any specific gang feud.

Police also note that the city's overall crime rate continues to fall for the eighth straight year.

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