Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer has filed nuisance abatement lawsuits against the owners of three south Los Angeles properties, including a strip mall and an unlicensed barber shop, that were allegedly controlled by the Rollin’ 30s and Rollin’ 40s criminal street gangs and used for gang activity such as narcotics and firearms sales.
The lawsuits follow a collaborative operation with the Los Angeles Police Department and FBI that resulted in the 24 federal arrest warrants being served against members of the gangs.
“The lawsuits target chronic properties we allege are controlled by gangs, and are bases for drug and gun sales in close proximity to churches and schools,” Feuer said. “Gangs can be relentless in pursuing their criminal enterprises. We must be even more committed to assuring every neighborhood is safe.”
The properties named in the lawsuit include 4376 Western Ave., a commercial strip mall allegedly controlled by the Rollin’40s, a close ally of the Rollin’ 30s gang. In the last three years, a drive-by shooting, armed robberies, gang assaults and seven documented narcotics transactions have occurred at the location. The property is within 750 feet of two schools.
Also targeted is 2025 Jefferson Ave., a mixed-use property including an unlicensed barber shop, that has been the location of five documented narcotics transactions within the past 18 months. The “Faded Up” barber shop was also linked to four firearms sales between December 2012 and February 2013. The property is within 950 feet of an elementary school, a public library and three churches, including one church directly across the street.
The city attorney’s office also filed a lawsuit against the owners of 1626 W. 38th Place, a residential duplex located in the heart of Rollin’ 30s turf that is known to be the hub of cocaine and other controlled substance sales. In the last two years, there have been at least 12 documented narcotics incidents at the location. The property is located within 785 feet of a learning center and two churches.
The lawsuits seek a preliminary injunction against the owners requiring physical and managerial improvements such as lighting, fencing, guest and tenant screening, stay away orders against gang members and other provisions. With respect to the commercial locations, closures of the nuisance businesses will be sought, and the owners will be required to screen prospective tenants and implement security measures, such as hiring armed security guards.
The lawsuits follow the initial phase of an FBI-LAPD investigation, which resulted in the arrest of 117 Rollin’ 30s gang members and associates, and the filing of six nuisance property abatement lawsuits.
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