Vice/Land Lords

By Margaret Lyons in News on Oct 1, 2004 8:18PM

Gang crime continues to evolve here in Chicago. Yesterday Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline revealed that an ongoing investigation, in cooperation with the feds, has discovered a fraudulent mortgage scheme used by Vice Lords gang leaders to launder $70 million in drug money.

The name of the investigation is Operation This Old House. Now that's a name. Since gangs are already diversifying their portfolios with white-collar crime, they should look into "legitimizing" themselves. With such a great name already available it seems like television could be a step in the right direction. Just think of the crazy hijinx found in a PBS home improvement show hosted by oh-gee gang bangers who fix up a nice little cottage in the country. Sort of a "Pimp My Ride" with grit.

The announcement was made alongside Mayor Daley at a news conference to announce his plans to increase the number of officers involved in the Chicago Gang Intelligence Unit from 60 officers to 90. Seems like a good idea. More resources can only help the situation. Daley said the unit is doing well and heralded its improved gang tracking methods as the main reason. So far in Chicago in 2004 there have been approximately 351 homicides, a decline of almost 23 percent from this time last year.
Thanks, Sam!