Gang prevention group sues LAPD, claiming harassment

June 3, 2000
Web posted at: 2:37 a.m. EDT (0637 GMT)

In this story: Suit cites 'pattern of misconduct' Lawsuit follows arrest of group leader RELATED STORIES, SITES

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- A group that helps rehabilitate gang members sued the Los Angeles Police Department on Friday, claiming their members are continually harassed by the city's anti-gang officers.

The suit, filed by Homies Unidos, a bi-national program with chapters in San Salvador and Los Angeles, alleges that the LAPD maintains an unwritten policy that anyone who has been affiliated with gangs or is a gang member "may be stopped, detained and questioned without any further justification."

The organization said such LAPD scrutiny is adversely affecting their efforts to promote peace among gang members.

"The LAPD -- they've intimidated a lot of guys," said Homies Unidos member Geraldo Lopez. "Some of them have gone back to their negative ways because they've told me, 'Well, I'm doing something positive ... and the police are harassing me even more. They're beating me up even more than when I was doing something negative.'"

Homies Unidos alleges that their members continue to be targeted by LAPD Rampart Officers, even though LAPD's gang suppression unit known as "CRASH" was officially disbanded earlier this year by Police Chief Bernard Parks.

The suit cites a "pattern of misconduct" that has existed for many years and extends beyond Rampart into other divisions of the police department.

Homies Unidos members claim they have been followed, searched unlawfully and detained -- all because of their past gang involvement.

Democratic State Sen. Tom Hayden, speaking at a news conference announcing the lawsuit, said, "It takes a certain kind of bravery and a certain kind of goodness to be able to not just put your destructive past behind you, but to continue to take harassment from society and from police for your past."

The lawsuit follows the arrest of Homies Unidos Los Angeles Chapter Director, Alex Sanchez, by LAPD Rampart "CRASH" officers in September of 1999.

Police said Sanchez was in this country illegally, and arrested him on an outstanding immigration warrant. Sanchez remains in INS custody while supporters such as state Sen. Hayden try to secure his release.

The lawsuit names Sanchez, among others, as a plaintiff, and takes the LAPD to task for allegedly violating their own policy, Special Order 40, which does not permit officers to independently inquire about a person's citizenship.

Homies Unidos was founded in San Salvador by international human rights advocate Magdaleno Rose-Avila in 1996. He brought together 22 members from two of the largest rival gangs in the country to form the organization committed to preventing all forms of violence. The Los Angeles Chapter has approximately 30 members.