The Columbus Street gang has terrorized parts of the San Fernando Valley with murders, robberies and drug sales, authorities say.

Now the L.A. City Attorney's office says it has a tool that will help cops put an end to the organization's reign in North Hills and Panorama City:

The office announced that L.A. Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu today granted its request for an injunction against the 200 member set.

The move means that members can't associate with each other in public or drive a car that isn't theirs. It also adds extra punishment if they're caught intimidating witnesses, selling or holding drugs, possessing guns or knives or holding graffiti tools.

The City Attorney's office says the 2.7-mile area covering the injunction means there is now 116 square miles of gang turf covered by such rules. That's more than one-fifth of the city's geography.

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich:

For too long, the Columbus Street gang has used intimidation, violence and fear in holding this community hostage to its nefarious activities. Today, our prosecutors and law enforcement partners have secured an important tool to curb illegal activity in our neighborhoods and bring safety and security to our residents.

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