San Diegans are getting a dose of reality from local law enforcement today. San Diego County's district attorney is hosting a series of workshops for citizens. Among other things, they're learning about the war on gangs. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has more.
There are some pretty rough gangs out there, like this one.
James Romo, a gang prosecutor : Their hand sign is extending the index and the little finger out, and so they've been known to cut the two middle fingers off of victims, so that in the future that person will be throwing up that gang sign.
Romo is telling citizens in El Cajon about a gang in Central America. The audience is more worried about gangs in their own neighborhoods. They ask him difficult questions, like: ‘How do you keep gang bangers out of the mall?’
Romo doesn't have an answer to that one. But he does offer some tips. For example, before you paint over graffiti, take a picture for police. That can help them track down who's cruising through your neighborhood.
Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.
