Search - Gangland: The Complete Season 4 on DVD

New stories to tell within the program's theme

Pork Chop | Lisbon, Portugal | 02/23/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Gangland Season 4 seeks out new stories to tell within the confines

of the series, at times faltering somewhat from a more

intellectual, detached, newsperson feel to the stories, over

whelming viewers with facts and historical data while sparse on the

visual impact.



Or in other words, the overwhelming video support for the narrative

is as simple as the graffiti on various buildings around the city.

The lack of actual gangland violence completely transforms the

series, the viewers not connecting the dots about various events.



For one, the founding and evolution of the LATIN KINGS is told.

Based in Chicago, it stems from Puerto Rican and Mexican members

as late as the 1940's.



The gang centers in Humboldt Park and members are required to have

the letters LK, or a 3 or 5 point crown (Puerto Rican or Mexican),

or 3 or 5 dots tattoos to join, after an initiation lasting 3

minutes labeled "violation". The colors are golden yellow and

black, with or without a lion or Sun. Hand signals are used, as

well. Areas also controlled are Little Village, Montrose, Crown

Town and South Chicago, with the opposition Satan's Disciplines,

sometimes dissing the LK tags.



The purpose of the gang, is to control neighborhood blocks,

extorting the narcotics dealers selling coke, meth, ganja, ecstasy,

or selling directly, consolidating power. The accent on ease in

buying and selling is such that calling up the chosen narcotic is

as easy and quick as ordering a pizza from around the corner.



The founder laid out a "Code of Conduct" for members, the latter

who are required to ingrain values through mnemonics, such as

Almighty Latin Kings Nation, each letter meaning a noun. He also

laid out a hierarchy, from the 2 Coronas, to Regional Officers,

then Nation Enforcers, Inca's, Caciques, Chapter enforcers and

soldiers. Both Incas and soldiers are subject to receiving

disciplinary measures from having infringed on the rules, by

physical punishment, ranging from slaps and kicks, to more serious

blows with sticks, a "gold crush" representing discipline inflicted

on an inca.



A surprising element, is the fact that it was run over 30 years, by

the same person behind bars, and by a right hand man in freedom.

The latter met his demise only after a confidential informant

turned, with video and audio footage through a setup, such was the

extent that he shielded himself from anyone possible incriminating

him, using stooges and patsies to carry his orders, such as his

girlfriend.



Another surprise, is the sanitizing of the episodes from the

outrageous acts perpetrated by the members, using a scholarly,

politically correct and light approach. The fact that there are

25,000 persons part of the LK in Chicago, and 50,000 in the entire

USA may have played a part.



A third surprise, is the extent and frequency of active female gang

member participation in setups, trafficking, getting information,

in being lookouts or in selling.



At one point, the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm agency) joins

forces with the county sheriff, to hire a snitch, install video and

audio eavesdropping devices, intercept and monitor cell phone

conversations.



Gang jargon is introduced, such as "running the deck" being in

control of a cell block, "trick" meaning a snitch, "riding with"

meaning the pals the person hangs out with and what streets they're

from, "tumbes" meaning to retaliate against a seller not current

with his protection payments.



The people interviewed advise they left the lifestyle because it

required a 24/7 commitment, which they got fed up with."