L.A. Gang Put Bounty on Cops

L O S  A N G E L E S, May 16, 2001 -- Los Angeles police officers have been told to take extra precautions after reports surfaced that a street gang is offering money for those who wound or kill cops.

The 18th Street Gang, the city's most notorious band of outlaws, has reportedly put out word that it will pay $10,000 to anyone who injures a police officer — and $25,000 to anyone who kills one.

According to an internal police memo obtained by ABCNEWS, the gang is allegedly offering the "bail" or "bounty" to gang members and anyone who purchases drugs from them.

Police said they are taking the threat seriously.

"I can tell you that the source of the information... [is] of the type of credibility that does warrant an active and intense investigation," said Capt. Michael Moore, of the Rampart Division.

As a result, the LAPD has issued a department-wide warning to its officers about the bounty. But the main target of the threat appears to be the troubled Rampart Division, located in a high-crime neighborhood west of downtown Los Angeles.

It is not the first difficulty for Rampart officers in recent months.

The Rampart Division emerged at the center of the worst corruption scandal in LAPD when a former officer with the division accused it of shooting, beating and framing suspects.

‘Suspicious Activity’ Noted

Gang members told a reporter they knew nothing about any bounty for dead or wounded police officers.

But the police department is already noting what it calls some suspicious activity: they believe gang members are placing false calls to the department to see how officers respond.

"Information also indicated that the gang members are utilizing surveillance and counter-surveillance on officers and department facilities," the internal memo reads. "It is believed that these gang members are placing false calls to see how LAPD responds to calls and the tactics deployed."

On Alert — as Ever

"They wanna make threats, they can make 'em," Rampart Sgt. Patrick McCarty told The Associated Press. "A threat is one thing, but to try to accomplish that threat is another thing."

He said police are used to working with such threats.

"We've had them in the past," he said. "We're just going to be on alert as always." ABC station KABC in Los Angeles contributed to this report.