Deputy Los Angeles police Chief Michel Moore told La Opinion newspaper that the department is aware of possible collaboration among gangs in Los Angeles. LA Weekly was the first to report a certain quietude and possible business alliances on streets once bloodied by bitter gang rivalries, and the Wall Street Journal followed up last week.

La Opinion gets Moore on the record on the matter, with the deputy chief saying “although it's something we hadn't seen before, I can tell you that we're aware of it.” (Translation via New America Media).

FBI Special Agent Robert Clark told the newspaper, “We know Latino gangs are working with African-American gangs to get drugs or arms, and we are already doing intelligence work. It's a trend we are seeing among different groups. And I think if they see an opportunity to collaborate across these barriers, they're going to take it.”

At least one gang intervention worker, however, doubts the idea: “It seems like they are trying to create a monster so they can get more resources to suppress it,” said Aquil Basheer of Maximum Force Enterprise. ” … There is no proof that the gangs are uniting.”

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.