LIFE AFTER THE INJUNCTION WAS LIFTED

Almost three months ago, the injunction banning members of the 18th Street
gang from gathering in public was lifted because of an ongoing probe of
alleged LAPD misconduct. The investigation centers on alleged police
corruption in the Rampart Division's CRASH anti-gang unit.

The impact on the people who live and work in the area where the gang
operates has been dramatic. Since the injunction was suspended
indefinitely, some say drug dealing and gang-related shootings have become
more commonplace. SAMANTHA BONAR spoke with M. Daniel Sanchez, a local
business owner frustrated by the situation.

M. DANIEL SANCHEZ , Auto Insurance Broker, Los Angeles

My business is located on Main and Union Avenue, near 8th Street. Since the
injunction against the 18th Street gang was lifted, we have been having
terrible problems here. With the gang allowed to gather in groups since
September, there have been fatal shootings at the corner where my business
is, and also farther south on Union near Washington. When I came here last
April, there was no problem. Now there are drug deals going on right in
front of my business. Every day.

The drug dealers don't care, basically. I call the police to arrest them,
but they say, "You have to call us when they're doing the deal."

This goes on during the day, when a lot of people - kids - are walking on
the streets and can get hurt. It is very frustrating to have to put up with
gangsters doing business just outside your business. They don't care that
there are decent people around just doing their daily things.

The situation has escalated since the injunction was lifted, and it
definitely has affected my business. A lot of people are afraid to come
here now. You know you won't go to a place where there is gang activity -
shootings and drug dealing. It makes me feel unsafe to be here, too.

My neighbors and I are afraid of offending the people in gangs. One time,
some of them stuck an express mail sticker right on my front door. They do
that as a kind of warning that they're watching you. Also, have you seen
the shoes laced together thrown over telephone wires? That means that is a
place to buy drugs. Well, on the corner by my shop there are nine pairs
hanging from the wires.

I've contacted police about the problem. It's a cat-and-mouse game. When
the police come, the dealers scatter like cockroaches. As soon as the
patrol cars pull away, they come right back.

I don't care if it's a CRASH unit or whatever they have, but they've got to
do something about the problem.

Three weeks ago, at around 4:30 p.m., we had another gang shooting right on
the corner. But nothing happens, and it's just another shooting.