9/2-9/8 News Roundup

Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital remains with ongoing gang violence. There are rising concerns that the entire city could fall under gang control, particularly in the Carrefour-Feuilles community. The police have struggled to regain control, despite residents' efforts to push back against these armed groups. The United States faces criticism for continuing deportation flights to Haiti. The violence has resulted in thousands of displaced Haitians, exacerbating the country's humanitarian crisis, with millions unable to access sufficient food. Union-Bulletin The United States and other nations, particularly Kenya, are working to create a multinational military force to combat the rise of gangs in Haiti. he force is envisioned as a means to stabilize the situation, improve security, and allow humanitarian assistance to reach those in need in Haiti. This development reflects international efforts to address the complex security challenges facing the nation. The New York Times

Dozens of Houston-area residents arrested were arrested as a result of a partnership between local law enforcement and federal investigators aimed at addressing gang-related criminal activities and the violence associated with them. Law enforcement seized firearms, drugs, and cash during the operation, underscoring the connection between gangs, illegal drug trade, and violent crimes. Houston Public Media

A concerning surge in gang-related murders among Arab citizens in Israel have led protest  marches against the rising crime wave. The Israeli government is taking measures  to combat this issue, including deploying more police officers and implementing community-based initiatives to address the root cause of gang violence. CNN

Combating gang-related initiatives. The City of Kamloops has introduced new initiatives aimed at combating gang-related activity. in response to growing concerns about gang violence in the area. The initiatives likely include a combination of community outreach programs, law enforcement efforts, and social services aimed at addressing the root causes of gang involvement. Radio NL

Boise Police form a temporary gang unit in response to a recent increase in gang-related crimes. The unit is expected to focus on investigations, prevention, and community engagement to reduce gang-related incidents and maintain public safety in the local area. KTVB

Mexican drug cartels utilize armored trucks equipped with heavy weaponry to enhance their power and dominance in the region. These modified vehicles are used to protect drug trafficking routes and maintain control over their territories, posing a significant challenge to law enforcement. Mirror

Alabama's new Anti-Gang Law has officially taken effect, aiming to combat gang-related activities in the state. The law focuses on targeting and prosecuting gang members involved in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking and violence. It also allows for the creation of a statewide database to track gang-related information and activity. This legislation represents a concerted effort by Alabama to address the issue of gang violence and improve public safety within the state. News 5 WKRG

Ecuadorian youth turning to gangs as a way to escape poverty and improve their economic prospects, according to a UN expert. This trend highlights the lack of opportunities and support for disadvantaged youth in the country. Reuters

US and UK impose sanction on a Russian crybercrime gang known as "Evil Corp." The sanctions target individuals associated with the group and aim to disrupt their criminal activities, including ransomware attacks and cyber fraud. Axios The challenges in prosecuting cyber criminals due to their international operations and use of cryptocurrency for ransom payments show the need for enhanced international cooperation and cybersecurity efforts to combat. Wired

Assembly Bill 280 passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Some of the bills have provoked controversy. Pasadena Now Among  the bill includes Assembly Bill 280 (AB 280) which aims to ban solitary confinement for specific populations. This bill sets limits on the duration of solitary confinement, requires facilities to maintain clear records on its use for transparency, and allows for alternative housing units when necessary. Disability Rights California

Arrests of Denver gang members. Prosecutors have completed cases leading to the conviction and sentencing of 15 MS-13 members. Law enforcement in Colorado have engaged in a multi-agency crackdown on the violent transnational Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, street gang over the last four years. The Mara Salvatrucha gang emerged in Los Angeles during the 1980s among refugees fleeing the aftermath of U.S.-backed wars in Central America. Police and prosecutors said that, beyond law enforcement in metro Denver, stopping future MS-13 operations increasingly will depend on immigration and foreign policy. The Denver Post

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Deputies ties to gangs not prosecuted. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office has decided not to prosecute a case involving casino chip theft allegedly committed by sheriff's deputies with ties to gangs. The decision not to pursue charges has sparked controversy and raised concerns about accountability within law enforcement. Critics argue that this highlights a larger issue of corruption and misconduct within the sheriff's department. The article sheds light on the complexities surrounding allegations of criminal activity involving law enforcement officers and the challenges in addressing such cases. Los Angeles Times

Chicago Police Department’s erroneous gang database to be terminated. Critics argue that the database can lead to racial profiling and unwarranted surveillance, disproportionately affecting Black and Latino residents. A civilian commission is reviewing the database's policies in an effort to address these concerns and ensure greater transparency and accountability. The article highlights ongoing debates regarding the balance between public safety and civil liberties and the importance of community input and oversight in shaping law enforcement practices. Chicago Sun Times

South-east Asians gangs trafficking cybercrime workers. Hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked and forced to work for online scamming operations in south-east Asia run by criminal gangs. Across the region, the pandemic caused an increase of virtual work and the movement of business to less regulated spaces. Victims are lured by the promise of jobs in programming to guarded locations where their phone and passport are seized. Billions of dollars are being generated yearly by gangs who coerce victims into this online criminality. UN report

Swedish gangs using Spotify to launder money by using fake music streams to launder money. They generate these fraudulent streams to artificially inflate revenue on the platform, turning illegal gains into seemingly legitimate income. This activity has raised concerns about the vulnerability of digital platforms like Spotify to criminal exploitation and highlights the need for improved security measures to prevent such money laundering schemes. Swedish authorities and Spotify are working together to address this issue and maintain the integrity of their platform. The Guardian

Italian government targeting “baby gangs” to address youth violence by targeting not only violent teenagers but also their parents. These gangs, composed of young individuals, have been involved in high-profile crimes. The government's approach includes imposing stricter penalties on violent youth, holding parents accountable for their children's actions, and implementing preventive measures such as community programs and social services to deter young people from engaging in criminal activities. Reuters

NYPD gang database is the new stop and frisk. A new report by the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project reveals that the NYPD's gang database, akin to the controversial "Stop and Frisk" policy, discriminates against Black and Hispanic youths, and labels them as gang members without evidence. The report follows the NAACP's recent lawsuit, which pushes the NYPD to release withheld information about the database due to delays in responding to Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests. The report criticizes the database for adding names quickly but removing them slowly, using vague criteria, and calls for its complete elimination despite calls for better safeguards. Daily News

Text messages show why Mexican drug gang and military killed 43 students. Recent developments in the ongoing investigation into the 2014 disappearance of 43 students from Iguala, Mexico reveal that the Mexican government's previous investigation was marred by misconduct, including the torture of suspects and the manipulation of evidence. These revelations have raised doubts about the official account of events and have led to renewed calls for justice from the families of the missing students. The case continues to highlight deep-seated issues of corruption and impunity within Mexico's law enforcement and judicial systems. The New York Times