Gang sweep said to loosen Big Hazard's grip on neighborhood

Authorities expect that December's raid targeting the Big Hazard gang will have long lasting benefits for Boyle Heights residents, particularly those who live in Ramona Gardens. The series of sweeps, termed Operation Resident Evil, involved as many as 800 local and federal law enforcement agents. But some residents of the Gardens - where officials say the criminal organization is based - say the gang lost its grip on their community long ago; they object to the media's portrayal of the neighborhood once the raids were reported. “Ramona Gardens is being stereotyped in the media as the home of the Mexican Mafia, and it’s not... They’re making it seem that Ramona Gardens residents don’t have liberty to come out [of their apartments].” The full story is on Boyle Heights Beat.