by Jennifer Phillips
Staff Writer
Gang activity in the La Verne area has touched the University of La Verne community. In January, a ULV student was verbally assaulted on campus by gang members.
Campus security worker Alvin Jenkins said, “In December gang members were on campus and we had to escort them off.”
According to La Verne Police Department detective Scott Pickwith, the city of La Verne has two gangs—La Verne Rifa (LVR) and The Ruthless Klan (TRK). LVR is the more established of the two.
A recent truce declared by the Mexican Mafia, calling for peace between gangs, was accepted because of fear of what might happen if they did not.
Possibly because of the truce, gangs in La Verne were pretty quiet in 1994. The first gang related shooting in 1995 occurred approximately two weeks ago.
The shooting took place on Second and Wheeler, less than a mile from the University, the result of a verbal dispute between members of LVR and the TRK. The argument erupted and two shots were fired. No one was injured, but LVPD made one arrest.
Both Pickwith and Jenkins believe that communication between ULV and the LVPD is very important.
“Campus security stays in contact with LVPD through either walkie-talkies or 911 if we have trouble, but most of the time we handle it ourselves,” said Jenkins.
They also believe the ULV community is safer if people stay in well lighted areas, use the buddy system (walk with a friend) and to basically be aware of their surroundings.
Campus security patrols the campus hourly. Security can be reached from any campus phone by dialing #6-666.
