Baltimore

LAPD Orders Officers to Ride in Pairs During “Blue Alert”

After warnings out of Baltimore that gangs are targeting police officers, officials said the move was "out of an abundance of caution."

LAPD officers will be riding in pairs for safety out of "an abundance of caution" after news out of Baltimore that street gangs may be targeting police.

Baltimore police announced they had received a “credible threat” that three violent gangs, the Black Guerrilla Family, the Bloods and the Crips, were teaming up to “take out” law enforcement officers.

The Baltimore Police Department has advised other law enforcement agencies to take precautions to secure the safety of their officers, in a written statement.

The order comes amid protests and violence surrounding the in-custody death of Freddie Gray April 19.

Baltimore police and protesters clashed Monday, with at least seven officers injured.

Los Angeles Police Department officials said the so-called “blue alert” will remain in effect citywide until they can get more information on the source and scope of the threat.

It is not clear how many, if any, other metropolitan police agencies had issued similar orders across the country.

At a gathering of community leaders and law enforcement officials Monday night, LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said the Watts and Rodney King riots prove a zero-tolerance approach to civil unrest is essential to prevent an escalation of violence.

"My own experience in this city in 1965 and 1992 suggests that releasing or permitting acts of violence destruction of property only leads to more acts of violence and more destruction of property," Ridley-Thomas said.

Pastor William Hundley of the House of Worship also said peaceful protest is the only option for those who want to demonstrate against perceived injustice.

"We do not need to use violence to make our point heard, but we can pray about it," Hundley said.

Beverly White contributed to this article

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