Glendale Boulevard Corridor Gang Injunction

Abstract: The purpose of this project was to conduct a case study on the use of the public nuisance law used to obtain a civil gang injunction for Echo Park, California. This case study will discuss the origins of gang injunctions and will focus on the Glendale Boulevard corridor gang injunction enacted on September 26, 2013. A literature review was performed to understand the policies that led up to the formation of gang injunctions as well as current research discussing the impact it has on increasing public safety. The analysis was based on the two theoretical propositions: (1) gang injunctions further marginalize at-risk and gang-involved Latino youth by subjecting them to guilt by association and limiting their sources for social and cultural capita; and (2) injunctions are not always placed in communities because of high crime rates in the area. There are economically advantaged groups that may have an interest in developing and gentrifying the community and this can displace the less advantaged long-time residents of color. The findings from the case study are discussed.