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The whole thing reads like a far-fetched plot for a completely unrealistic action movie, but it's all too real: > The report identifies at “least a half dozen”
by cs702 4y ago
The whole thing reads like a far-fetched plot for a completely unrealistic action movie, but it's all too real:
> The report identifies at “least a half dozen” active gangs and cliques — and names them: the Executioners, the Banditos, the Regulators, the Spartans, the Gladiators, the Cowboys, and the Reapers.
Gangs proudly calling themselves "the Executioners" or "the Gladiators" likely have antisocial and violent tendencies. Think for a moment about the kind of person such names will attract. After reading about the horrifying things these gangs do, I'm left speechless. Reality truly can be stranger -- and more shocking -- than fiction.
- SketchySeaBeast 4y agoJust once can we please have a self-effacing police gang? I want the "Smooth Criminals" or something. Stop trying to be the most badass and have some fun with it!
- mattkrause 4y agoAt least for me, “The Regulators” sounds like a bunch of guys in dark suits with stacks of records and regulations. “Pursuant to 17 USC § 501, we’re going to break your kneecaps” The coolest possible use of a regulator is maybe scuba diving?
- zht 4y agoClassic song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1plPyJdXKIY https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1plPyJdXKIY
- SketchySeaBeast 4y ago"Oh shit, it's OSHA, run!"
- maxcan 4y agoFor me, 'regulators' sounds like a bunch of guys who regulate any stealing of his property. They're damn good too. Can't be any geek off the streets. I suspect this is a different group.
- starkparker 4y agoNo, they're just another group of incompetents. https://knock-la.com/lasd-gang-regulators-shooting-zabala/ https://knock-la.com/lasd-gang-regulators-shooting-zabala/ > Jason Zabala, an inked Regulator, is responsible for the deaths of at least two people and cost the County $4 million. ... > In October 2011, an on-duty Zabala ran a red light and was involved in a collision. Sonya Benton, 49, was inside the other car. The impact gravely injured her spine, causing long-term damage and prompting a fusion surgery. At the beginning of the case, the County’s counsel asserted that Benton’s injuries weren’t serious and the surgery wasn’t necessary. The case settled for $80,000 before trial. Taxpayers picked up the bill for her award and everyone’s attorney fees. Zabala remained a deputy. ... > The deputies later claimed Laffitte had a gun. However, Zabala said in his deposition that he never saw a weapon on Laffitte. A handgun was recovered from the scene, but it tested negative for Laffitte’s DNA, according to court documents. The testing did conclude, however, that at least two other individuals handled the gun. Shortly after the incident, Cotton said in a press conference, “I want revenge for my brother’s death. There will be no justice in Los Angeles until my brother’s murderers go to prison… I want them jailed for killing my brother and brutalizing my family.” > That didn’t happen. Laffitte’s family settled the case for $1,500,000 before it went to trial. Taxpayers, of course, footed the bill. But the deputies who killed Terry Laffitte were never charged, and it does not appear they were disciplined. It appears as if Barrios was still a member of the department as recently as 2019. Horrifyingly, Zabala went on to kill another man in front of his family. A sibling comment mentions the 2018 film Den of Thieves - that's the Regulators. Their tattoo's even on screen.
- klooney 4y agoIt's a reference to https://genius.com/Warren-g-regulate-lyrics https://genius.com/Warren-g-regulate-lyrics
- tyingq 4y agoOr perhaps a reference to William Bonner "Billy the Kid" and the deputized gang/posse he was associated with? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Regulators https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Regulators
- floren 4y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Regulators https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Regulators
- P_I_Staker 4y agoIt has hip-hop roots, although it's not clear if they intended to reference these regulators.
- ch4s3 4y agoThey’re both referencing Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County Regulators. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Regulators https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Regulators
- mr_toad 4y ago> At least for me, “The Regulators” sounds like a bunch of guys in dark suits with stacks of records and regulations. Probably named after a previous gang: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Regulators https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_County_Regulators
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- brobdingnagians 4y agoSadly, these sorts don't seem to have names like "The Good Fathers" come to mind first
- Cthulhu_ 4y agoThe Good Fellas?
- scarface74 4y agoYou didn’t read about all of the police corruption that became public after the OJ Trial in the 90s? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rampart_scandal https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rampart_scandal Yes, I think OJ was “framed”. But I also believe he was guilty.
- anon223345 4y agoIt’s very possible his son did it. His son was extremely violent, the glove fit him
- mrguyorama 4y agoThe glove also fit OJ just fine when he was not taking actions advised by his lawyers to actively make his hand swell
- anon223345 4y agoDude the son was super duper violent and attacked the dude that was murdered constantly
- craigkilgo 4y ago100% the son. Did you see the documentary on that?
- jobs_throwaway 4y ago>Gangs proudly calling themselves "the Executioners" or "the Gladiators" likely have antisocial and violent tendencies ...its a gang. Of course it has antisocial and violent tendencies. That's part and parcel of it being a gang. If it wasn't violent and antisocial it would just be a club or organization.
- LeifCarrotson 4y agoTo someone who's accepted that gangs and violent people in them are a normal part of life, sure, that makes sense. But what's the internal monologue of someone who styles themselves a deputy and an Executioner really like? Do they genuinely believe themselves to be doing smart or good things? Do they hate themselves, do they hate the flawed world they're in? Is this an unfortunate but temporary state of affairs, ends justifying the means until they can fully replace the flawed system? Are they stuck in their position, wishing they had said no when/if they had the chance, but now unsure how to safely exit? Could you or I, with a few different life choices, have been not a software dev but a law enforcement deputy who's also a member of a violent, antisocial gang? I'd like to think I could not, but I have no clue what actually goes on inside the mind of someone in that situation.
- lampshades 4y ago“The love of money is the root of all evil”
- brightball 4y ago“The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” - 1 Timothy 6:10 The root of all evil is pride when you really analyze it.
- juujian 4y agoMakes me wonder about the real meaning of all those Punisher patches that some of them wear. We tend to think of gangs as coherent forces, but identity is not always that clear-cut.
- dclowd9901 4y agoI had this exact same thought. They’re sometimes placed in a way that makes one think it might be a secret hand shake or a dog whistle.
- sixothree 4y agoI thought that was more of a white nationalist thing. We've got plenty of neo-nazis running amok in our police forces.
- SauciestGNU 4y agoIt's really funny, because as fans of the comic have said, Frank Castle would likely kill every single cop who wears that image.
- pelagicAustral 4y agoHaha, this stuff is perfectly depicted in the film 'Den of Thieves' [0]. In the motel scene 'Big Nick' (LASD) makes it clear 'they' are part of a gang. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lD9D5PjOco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lD9D5PjOco
- tedivm 4y agoThe Shield, based in part off of the LA Rampart scandals, also addresses a lot of the culture around this. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rampart_scandal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rampart_scandal
- pelagicAustral 4y agoThe Shield! of course, my favourite show. I've probably watched this about 10 times already.
- BurningFrog 4y agoIf their names are the worst thing about them, I'm not losing any sleep.
- swsieber 4y agoFiction dialed it in somewhat well - there was one TV show about one of those smart not-really-a-detective people who had a score to settle with a well known criminal ended up belonging to a gang of police officers (who had matching tattoos. Then again, the FBI came to clean things up in that show after it was ousted, so I guess you're right...
- theGnuMe 4y agoWhere is Harry Bosch when you need him?
- rediculous400 4y agoMany movies come to mind , like Training Day, that are based on unbelievable but surprisingly true stories... Its sad but its all too real!
- 1attice 4y agoI do hope that this article inspires more HN folks to appreciate the stance adopted by Black Lives Matter. It's a lot harder to sneer when you see what the movement is up against.