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Combating Gangs in the City of Angels Crime in America has been on the decline, but gang violence is increasing. Los Angeles has the most gang members per capita than any city in the world. This series zeroes in on the changing nature of Los Angeles gangs and the innovative tactics law enforcement is using to combat them.
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Combating Gangs in the City of Angels

Feds Aim to Dismantle L.A.'s 18th Street Gang

The FBI has been trying to take down the 18th Street gang in Los Angeles for more than a decade, but generations of gang leaders have made it difficult. One gang leader even ran his "loyal soldiers" from prison.

Feds Aim to Dismantle L.A.'s 18th Street Gang

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LAPD Hopes to Use Federal Charges to Foil Gangs

Los Angeles' police department is utilizing a gang fighting-strategy in which enough crimes are linked to a particular gang to build a case that would bring federal charges. The prospect of time in a federal prison, where there is no parole, may lead to more informants.

LAPD Hopes to Use Federal Charges to Foil Gangs

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Cops Target L.A. Gangs' 'Shot Callers'

As gangs become more like the mafia, the Los Angeles Police Department is focusing on catching the shot callers responsible for most of the violence and the drug dealers with the most connections. And they're calling in the feds a lot earlier.

Cops Target L.A. Gangs' 'Shot Callers'

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FBI Cracks Down on Gangs at L.A.'s MacArthur Park

The LAPD and FBI have teamed up to target the gang stronghold in a Los Angeles park. Federal agents are able to pay more for informants and provide more intelligence surveillance and wiretaps — resulting in fewer murders.

FBI Cracks Down on Gangs at L.A.'s MacArthur Park

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