Latinos Downplay Police Gang Problem

The heads of three Latino police associations said Friday that reports of street gang infiltration of the Chicago Police, particularly in the Shakespeare district, were part of an “exaggerated” attempt to discredit Hispanic officers.

“I feel like they’ve targeted the Hispanic officers,” said Jose Ortiz Jr., president of the Puerto Rican Police Association, reacting to recent stories in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Ortiz said he had worked in the Shakespeare District for nine years and had no knowledge of police officers linked to street gangs.

The Sun-Times revealed that, according to the police department’s Internal Affairs Division, seven officers were prosecuted, disciplined or suspended for crimes or for violating departmental regulations linked to street gangs.

Police Supt. Matt Rodriguez conceded the department had found some police officers associated with gangs.

Lucio Martinez, president of the Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association admitted during the news conference that some gang-linked cops had been found in the department and in the Shakespeare District. But Martinez said those officers had been identified and fired, some prosecuted.

“The articles gave the perception this is still going on,” Martinez said.

During the news conference, 35th Ward Ald. Vilma Colom – who had criticized police protection against gangs in the Shakespeare District last Tuesday – complained she had been “voted out” by the Puerto Rican organization for her statements demanding better police services.

“I resent being kicked out,” Colom said. “The people who come into my office say they do not feel safe.”

Caption: Richard Guerrero, vice president of the Latin American Police Association, and Lucio Martinez, president of the Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association, address the gang issue at a news conference Friday. Credit: BRIAN JACKSON