Who says you can’t teach an old dog grey lady new tricks? I’m talking, of course, about the LA Times (which they call the Old Grey Lady.) Liberal bastion. Friend of the homeless. Empathizer of  the poor. Yet they have changed their attitude, at least towards one poor group – our gangs. The Times has stopped giving them tongue-baths, and given them a slap on the backside! Watch.

You all know me as the green, mean, Park activist machine, but did you also know how fond I am of the Avenues gang? I bet not!

I wrote about the Avenidas, as they say, twice last year, both times in response to the positive press the Times gave them. Apparently this gang is very popular, all over the US, not just in LA. Of course, I identify with my homeboys because they are so nearby. According to a map on the Times site, their “territory” begins at the foot of Forest Lawn in Glendale, which I can see from where I live. Also, they’re part of LA’s culture. Or something.

Now, you have to admit, most gangs don’t have the best education. Perhaps irony, sarcasm, or exaggeration weren’t mentioned in their English classes, but you know what? They’re busy guys. They have guns to clean and tats to sit for. So if my writing isn’t that well understood? Well, my bad. Let’s continue.

My first post on the attractive Avenues, or Drew Street Gang, as the hip kids call it, was in 2008: The LA Times has a secret crush on the Avenues Gang!

I can’t decide if it’s the awesome tats or the baggy duds…still stylish a decade later, apparently!

It’s always First Class to get an article written about you on the front page of the Times, and this time it’s the Avenues gang that hit the jackpot. I imagine gangs all over the city are envious, and wondering how they, too, can get such reportage and press. Don’t hesitate to read it: it’s family-ready, and really very forward-thinking!

From my June 2008 post 2 months later:

When you read about a neighborhood painted as loyalists with deep family ties to its members, doesn’t that sound attractive? Perhaps a suburban enclave of LA, or one of those beach towns, with all those diehard volleyball players. Good people, in other words. And so these gangs are, in their hearts.

Last time, the Times writers defined the gang as resilient, powerful, and defiant: survivors, with loving neighbors. They’re definitely not as positive this time; I’m afraid they’ve gotten bitter, and that’s a sad thing to see in a journalist.

The new Los Angeles Times headline on September 23, 2009:

Massive police raid targets brutal L.A. gang

This time, the Times writers get down and dirty; they use the terms vicious, gunned down, entrenched, violent, drug-related, and more!

The gang, named for the avenues that cross Figueroa Street, has a long, ugly history dating back at least to the 1950s.

Officer Juan Aguilar said:

Some of them [gang members] he had at one time tried to help, telling them quietly that the only way to leave the gang is to leave the city. Others had long ago slipped beyond help, he said.

And:

The day’s only significant use of force was the shooting of two aggressive dogs by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies.

Oh, that’s right, guns don’t kill dogs, police do. (Although I hate to blame gang types for anything, really, I do wish they’d take their dogs to puppy school before their funny dog fights.)

Federal immigration officials were on hand to deal with any undocumented immigrants, although a DEA spokesman said none of the people arrested were found to be in the country illegally.

Most of the Avenues members and associates included in the indictment are being charged under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, which allows prosecutors to pursue lengthy prison sentences.

Hmm, how would they know about the illegal part? And why would that ever cross their minds?! LA Now blog called the gang people notorious, that they used extortion. BUT, then this…

Drug activity in the area has slowed considerably in recent months, the detective said, but considering the size of today’s operation, the gang clearly has maintained a commanding presence in the area.

Oops, back to the compliments, boys! Who wouldn’t want to have a commanding presence?! Name one teen! This is one for the Avenues Gang scrapbook!

Just one slip-up, Times writers. So even though no one from there has given Griffith Park, Interrupted any pats on the back recently, or even credit, I know you read me,  LA Times! You took my essays to heart! Your liberal shades dropped from your eyes for a minute. I’m proud of you.

Photos by Mark Boster, LA Times.