Compton Seeks Ban On Suge Knight & Affiliated Gang’s Activities

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, the city of Compton, CA has filed an injunction with an L.A. County judge that would make it illegal for members of the Mob Piru street gang—including Death Row CEO Suge Knight—to congregate in a northeast section of the city. Following the lead of other Southern California communities like Anaheim, Oxnard and Riverside, Compton's injunction hopes to curb the atmosphere of fear surrounding the gang's continued criminal activities. "This is crazy," said Knight to the Times. "I'm a 42-year-old businessman, not a gang member. I don't even live in Compton anymore . . . . This injunction names people who are already in jail -- and at least one guy who is long dead."

The injunction would create a "safety zone" bounded by Bullis Road on the west, Pine Street on the north, Thorson Avenue on the east and Rosecrans Ave. on the south. The ban would prevent an estimated 200 gang members from congregating, carrying guns, using gang signs, creating graffiti, fighting, drinking alcohol or staying on the street past 10 p.m.

The decision is expected to be controversial, as such bans can open the door for extreme police harassment. "What you find is that the whole community becomes terrorized by law enforcement," Kim Saunders, a city planning commissioner told the Times. A hearing is scheduled today to enact a temporary injunction until the court can hear opposing arguments for making it permanent.