Gangs, drugs, and homicide in Los Angeles
P. J. Meehan and P. W. O'Carroll
Division of Injury Control, National Center for Environmental Health and Injury Control, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
OBJECTIVE--To assess the theory that youth homicides in Los Angeles, Calif,
are largely attributable to gang involvement in the trafficking or use of
drugs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS--First, we analyzed all homicides
in a police database that occurred in Los Angeles between January 1, 1986,
and August 31, 1988, to examine the association between gang activity and
narcotic use and trafficking. Second, we used detailed data from police
files to examine the same associations for a subset of homicides in south
central Los Angeles. Third, we investigated the association between gang
homicide victimization and victim cocaine use for all 1987 Los Angeles
homicides. Finally, we compared narcotics arrest histories for gang
homicide victims with histories for other homicide victims.
RESULTS--Gang-motivated homicides were less likely than other homicides to
involve narcotics, and narcotics-motivated homicides were less likely to
involve a gang member. Victims of gang-motivated homicides in 1987 were
less likely than other homicide victims to have detectable levels of blood
cocaine. Finally, young victims of gang-involved homicide were no more
likely to have a history of narcotics arrests than other victims.
CONCLUSIONS--Our investigation does not support the theory that a
substantial proportion of homicides are attributable to gang involvement in
narcotics trafficking.
