Armenian Power
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2008) |
| Years active | 1989 - present |
|---|---|
| Territory | Hollywood, North Hollywood, Pasadena, East Hollywood,Sylmar, Normandie Avenue, Hollywood Blvd, and Glendale |
| Ethnicity | Armenian |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, Murder, Drive-By Shooting, Theft, Identity Theft, Assault, Extortion |
| Allies | Sureños, Mexican Mafia, 18th Street gang |
| Rivals | Tooner Ville Rifa 13, MS-13, Norteños, White Fence 13, Avenues gang, Vineland Boys gang |
Armenian Power, also known as AP[1], is an Armenian street gang located in Los Angeles County.
History
The collapse of the Soviet Union prompted a massive wave of Armenian immigration into Los Angeles County, California, primarily in the communities of East Hollywood, North Hollywood, Hollywood, Pasadena, Burbank and Glendale. Faced with pressure from Mexican and Salvadoran gang members in the area, young Armenians in East Hollywood grouped together to form Armenian Power.[2] Armenian-American street gangs are not large in terms of numbers but are violent and influential enough to allegedly be involved in Mexican Mafia peace talks between Hispanic gangs. Even so, Los Angeles Police Officer Sam Salazar tells a story about a problem the gang solved–self-servingly–for the police. The corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Normandie Avenue had become a mecca for transvestite prostitutes. “Sometimes there would be 10 drag queens there,” Salazar said. “We tried to shoo them away, but they’d come back.” Armenian Power members, seeing a chance to make some money, told the transvestites they would charge them $25 a night for protection from beatings. The drag queens objected, pointing out that they weren’t having any trouble with beatings. “I told those freaks, ‘Oh, no one’s jacking you?’ Then we jacked them up,” said Bizzy, a 19-year-old gang member. Salazar confirmed that the transvestite problem disappeared.
The Armenian Power gang was a quickly growing gang in Hollywood and Glendale which formed partnerships with other gangs.[3] The gang's main enemies are Tooner Ville Rifa 13 and MS-13. [4]
References
- ^ Native in a Strange Land: Trials & Tremors - Page 192 by Wanda Coleman
- ^ Violent Gang Is a Stain on a Proud Ethnic Community
- ^ In Dark Alleys - Page 17 by Brian St.Claire-King
- ^ The Glendale Police Foundation